President Granger discusses areas of mutual interest with China

China’s State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Wang Yi, today, paid a courtesy call on President David Granger at State House.

During his brief meeting with the Head of State, Mr. Wang who was accompanied by China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Cui Jianchun and other Chinese dignitaries, discussed areas of mutual interest.

President Granger described the visit by Mr. Wang as “historic” while noting that it demonstrates the close friendship which exists between the two States. This friendship, the President said serves to strengthen relations between Guyana and China.

He reminded the visiting Chinese delegation, that Guyana and China established diplomatic relations on June 27, 1972, some eight months after supporting the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 recognising the People’s Republic of China as the only legitimate representative of China to the United Nations.

Additionally, President Granger noted that annually, January 12 is designated as Chinese Arrival Day in recognition of the contributions made by the Chinese to Guyana.

Moreover, the President said, “the Co-operative Republic of Guyana is committed to the ‘One China’ policy”. Guyana and China have over the years collaborated on a number of fronts, including agriculture, culture, defence, education, infrastructure, security, sport and trade. Also, both countries are committed to the protection of the Environment.

“We applaud the People’s Republic of China’s 13^thFive-year Plan (2016-2020) which aims at achieving a ‘green economy’ by introducing ‘green’ low-carbon industries; expanding sustainable energy sources; extending forest protection and establishing a ‘green’ development fund,” said President Granger.

Like China, the Head of State said Guyana is protecting the environment and is looking forward to enhancing cooperation.  President Granger noted too the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21^stCentury Maritime Silk Road Initiative which Guyana signed onto in July 2018.

“We feel it could contribute not only to Guyana’s development or its own hinterland but also to penetration of the continent for commercial and other purposes by other countries. This means that the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative will be an asset for international development, not just for the local economy,” stated President Granger.

Through the initiative Guyana will benefit significantly in the areas of infrastructure development, trade and investment as well as other critical areas of mutual interest.

The pact will foster enhanced cooperation between the two countries in five critical areas, namely: policy coordination, facilities connectivity, trade and investment, financial integration, and people-to-people interaction.

Meanwhile, the Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs like President Granger pointed to the four decades of diplomatic relations between Guyana and China. China, Mr. Wang said believes all countries are equal irrespective of their size and noted the need for greater democracy in international relations.

“We have strong confidence under your leadership our relations will be strengthened…cooperation has been growing from strength to strength,” he stated.

Further, Mr. Wang said the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative will be developed in an environmentally friendly manner.

“China believes in green, environmentally friendly and sustainable development…we believe there is tremendous untapped potential for our cooperation in pursuing the green aspects of development,” Mr. Wang added.

Also present were Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Carl Greenidge, Minister of State Joseph Harmon, and Minister of Agriculture Mr. Noel Holder and officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guyana and China. [Ministry of the Presidency]