China’s major municipality to build linkages with Guyana

Tianjin Municipality, a major port and a communication hub in China, is ready to build relations with Guyana, the Communist Party of China (CPC) Tianjin Municipal Committee Secretary Zhang Gaoli told a reception in his honour at State House Sunday night. Tianjin Municipality has a population of 14 million, occupying 11,000 square kilometres, with more than 20 varieties of minerals among which are manganese, gold, copper, aluminium, zinc, limestone, marble, medical stone, and natural oil stone, as well as petroleum and natural gas.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, during the reception Secretary Zhang made the pitch to President Donald Ramotar in the presence of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, former President Bharrat Jagdeo, executive members of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), and members of the Diplomatic Corps.
A meeting was also held on Monday at the Office of the President where Zhang in the company of a visiting delegation met with the president and members of his Cabinet. The meetings focused on deepening inter governmental relations and cooperation in various fields and the exchange of ideas on important issues in the region and the international arena.
Zhang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, was elected to the position of secretary to the Communist Party of China (CPC) Tianjin Municipal Committee, for the first time in 2007. He was re-elected in May this year. Secretary Zhang told President Ramotar that he was pleased to be in Guyana at the invitation of the government and assured that the visit will solidify the longstanding friendship between the two countries.
Guyana is the first English speaking country in the Caribbean to have established bilateral ties with the People’s Republic of China and the growth in bilateral cooperation, particularly trade and infrastructure were highlighted.
The PPP/ C administration has even backed what it considered a principled position of a ‘One China’ policy, and has consistently sided with China on the upholding of that country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“The PPP party has a very close relationship with the Communist Party of China… the people, before our party was formed, had supported the movement of the Communist Party as they vowed to triumph… our parties share many of the same ideals such as the eradication of poverty and providing our citizens a decent quality of living,” the head of state said.
President Ramotar said the support which Guyana has received from China over the years has accrued, and he was looking forward to a future of greater cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of both countries.
After hearing of efforts to restructure the economy through diversification, increased value added activities and enhancing the competitiveness of the traditional sectors, Zhang, who believes Guyana is a country with rich resources, acknowledged the relentless effort by the Guyana government to preserve the national economy and livelihood of its people, even in the throes of the financial and economic crisis. Guyana and China are preparing to celebrate 40 years of cordial and fruitful relations.