Prime Minister Samuel Hinds has lauded Guyana and China’s fertile relations and noted that the two countries will continue to explore other areas for cooperation such as agriculture and electricity.
At celebrations to mark China’s 61st National Day, a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release said the Prime Minister said Guyana and China have a long and proud history and today relations remain vibrant. He said cooperation agreements between the two countries are marked by “frequent exchanges at the political, diplomatic, economic and cultural levels” and that they are currently exploring options in tourism, trade and investment flows, infrastructure, and science and technology. The Prime Minister also referred to the July 15 signing of the framework agreement for the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project which is the biggest infrastructure investment in the country’s history to provide cheaper electricity. This agreement formalises cooperation between the Guyana Power and Light, Sithe Global Amaila Holdings, the China Development Bank and the China Railway First Group and sets out the parties’ intention to reach financial closure within 12 months.
In response, the Ambassador said China and Guyana have over the years conducted fruitful “win-win” economic cooperation projects such as the Guyana International Conference Centre and Bosai bauxite mining. “There are more projects in the pipelines; the two sides are currently exploring the potential in electric power, agriculture and ICT industry. The Chinese government will continue to encourage and support the credible Chinese companies to come and look for opportunities of investment and cooperation in Guyana,” he said.
Yu also noted that Guyana is pursuing a Low Carbon Development Strategy and China has made great efforts to develop a green, low carbon and circular economy. The Ambassador said his country will continue to collaborate with Guyana and the rest of the world to make its contribution meet the challenge of climate change.
China’s economy rapidly became the second-largest economy in the world after the USA. It is estimated that the contribution of the Chinese economic development to the world economic growth is well above 20 per cent.
According to GINA, Guyana is China’s first ally in the Caribbean Community.
President Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and members of the diplomatic corps also attended the event; the first formal function the embassy has hosted since Ambassador Yu Wenzhe was accredited.
