Prime Minister Samuels Hinds, who is performing the duties of president and acting Foreign Affairs Minister, Culture Youth and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony, were among other government officials at a reception at the Chinese embassy, Mandela Avenue on Wednesday evening to mark the 64th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Since the origin of the People’s Republic of China, notably the embracing of reorganisation and the opening-up of policy 35 years ago, China has been forging ahead and has made significant achievements in their modernisation, which has attracted the attention of the world.
During brief remarks, Prime Minister Hinds acknowledged China’s achievements and its continued investments in Guyana and its people since diplomatic relations between the two countries were established 41 years ago.
The prime minister highlighted that the bilateral relations between the two countries have grown from strength to strength. Both countries, he said, have made great strides for the past several years, and despite the recent financial and economic crises in many parts of the world, their economies continue to grow.
China is considered the second largest growing economy in the world. Prime Minister Hinds pointed out that like China; Guyana continues to strive for economic advancement to enable its people to live lives that are fulfilling.
Significant strides
He said that Guyana has made significant strides in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and recalled the country’s recent Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) award for reducing hunger and improving nutrition.
China has made momentous contributions to Guyana and special emphasis has been placed on health care. Chinese medical missions have been visiting Guyana over the last two decades to assist in enhancing the local health care system.
The devices for the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) programme were also supplied by the Chinese-owned Haier Electrical Appliance Limited and approximately 34 Guyanese products are exported to China on a yearly basis.
Guyana received two new roll-on/ roll-off ferry vessels and benefited from military air corps pilot and engineer training from that country. Training and scholarships in several fields of specialisation were also granted, a co-generation facility at the Skeldon Sugar Estate was established, and the 20.7MW Kingston Power Plant was built by Chinese.
Prime Minister Hinds said that Guyana values these exchanges and stated that he is optimistic that the countries will continue to work closely to further develop the economy.
“China and Guyana are time-honoured friends with a very long history of amicable interaction dating back to the 19th century… since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the relations between our two countries are getting closer and are in an important period of opportunities of fast development,” Ambassador Zhang highlighted.
In June this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Donald Ramotar held their first summit in Trinidad, which has set the direction for the future enhancement of China-Guyana relations in the new situation.
Ambassador Zhang reiterated that through the countries’ concerted efforts, the friendly relations and cooperation between China and Guyana will enjoy a brighter future.
