Guyana and China have reaffirmed their robust partnership with a high-level agreement to expand cooperation under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). During talks in Beijing last week, Guyanese Foreign Minister Hugh Todd and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed a joint action plan to boost investment in energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and emerging technologies. Wang Yi emphasized China’s support for Guyana’s independent development path and proposed bolstering collaboration through the BRI framework – offering to encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest in Guyana to drive industrial upgrades and economic self-reliance. “China will encourage more enterprises to invest in Guyana to help drive modernization,” Wang said, stressing that Beijing’s engagement comes “based on mutual respect and a shared vision for development – not colonial ambition”.
Foreign Minister Todd welcomed the pledge, noting the visible impact of Chinese investments already on the ground in Guyana. He cited Chinese companies’ pivotal role in building critical roads, bridges and other projects, and “welcomed further collaboration” in areas that can bring tangible benefits to Guyanese. “We’re ready to deepen this partnership,” Todd remarked, highlighting that Guyana views China as a key development partner in its quest to diversify the economy beyond oil. The two countries agreed to focus on sectors such as mining, manufacturing, and digital technology, while also enhancing people-to-people exchanges. Significantly, Chinese officials affirmed support for Guyana’s major infrastructure plans. Local media report that a memorandum of understanding was signed to facilitate BRI-related projects, which could potentially mean concessional financing for new roads and bridges.
Diplomatically, the Beijing meeting underscored Guyana’s balanced foreign policy. Todd praised China’s leadership in global affairs and reiterated Guyana’s commitment to multilateralism and international law, working through forums like the United Nations. Guyana – the first English-speaking Caribbean nation to establish ties with China back in 1972 – is today China’s largest trading partner in the English Caribbean. Analysts say this latest engagement will likely deepen trade flows (already heavy in timber, bauxite, and increasingly oil) and could see Guyana benefit from China’s expertise in large-scale construction. The closer ties come even as Guyana maintains strong relations with Western partners – a stance officials describe as pursuing all avenues of cooperation for national development. With this renewed push, Guyana is set to tap into China’s vast Belt and Road resources, potentially accelerating projects to improve highways, expand the energy grid, and create industrial parks. Both sides have hailed the discussions as ushering in a “new chapter” in Guyana–China relations aimed at shared prosperity and connectivity.
Region: International
Sources: caribbeannationalweekly.comcaribbeannationalweekly.com
