President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has commended China for its substantial contributions to Guyana’s economic development and expansion over the decades. He made these remarks during a reception held at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown on Tuesday to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
In his address, President Ali highlighted the positive impact China’s progressive model has had on Guyana in areas such as infrastructure development, trade, technology investment, health, and education. He noted the ongoing involvement of several Chinese companies in key projects across the country, including the second phase of the East Coast Demerara Road Project, the construction of the new Demerara River Bridge, the Joe Vieira Park, and six regional hospitals.
The president also praised the efforts of the 19th Chinese Medical Brigade, which has treated over 14,000 patients and performed more than 2,300 surgeries in Guyana. Their 21 medical outreaches have provided high-quality healthcare services to communities across the country.
“Today, we celebrate the peaceful coexistence of our relationship, a culture that binds us together, and decades of diplomatic ties,” President Ali said at the event.
He emphasized that China has played a pivotal role in Guyana’s ongoing economic transformation, which is focused on building a competitive, resilient, and sustainable economy driven by knowledge and technology. The president underscored the importance of partnerships in achieving these goals, noting that the relationship between the two countries has yielded significant results and continues to grow.
“We want this transformation to position our country as one of the most innovative and diverse economies, built on knowledge and technology. This requires partnership,” President Ali said.
While strengthening ties with China, President Ali acknowledged the need for Guyana to continue forging new relationships with other nations to support the country’s growth and expand its global presence.
The relationship between Guyana and China extends beyond economic and diplomatic ties to include military, defense, security, and intellectual collaboration. China, having established diplomatic ties with Guyana 50 years ago as the first English-speaking Caribbean country to do so, remains a steadfast partner in Guyana’s development.
Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan, highlighted several innovative projects currently underway as a result of the bilateral collaboration. She reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Guyana’s development and praised the dedication of the Guyanese government to national progress.
“The Government and the people of Guyana have been working tirelessly towards national development, and China stands ready to be a steadfast partner in that journey,” Ambassador Haiyan said.
The reception was attended by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd, other government ministers, members of the diplomatic community, and private sector representatives.
