Vice News has ‘malicious’ intent to smear Guyana/China relations- Chinese Ambassador

A news report on Guyana, produced by the US-based Vice News, suggested that Chinese investors in Guyana may be involved in bribery and other corrupt practices, but China’s Ambassador to Guyana Guo Haiyan rejected this, stating that the news outlet appears to have some malicious intent.

The Ambassador, speaking to reporters at the sidelines of an event on Monday, opined that the Vice News journalist who produced the report, Isobel Yeung appeared as though she had a “predetermined agenda”.

She later added that this agenda may have been to sully the good, long-standing relations Guyana and China have enjoyed over the last 50 years.

“One of their purposes is to smear Chinese companies here and attack China/Guyana cooperation.

“We saw the video and it’s quite clear that it’s cut and edited with malicious purpose,” the Ambassador posited.

Her comment follows earlier comments made by Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo.

According to the Vice-President, the news outlet appeared to promote an “aggressive anti-China sentiment” and categorically stated that Guyana would not be caught in the middle of tensions between the United States (US) and China.

This month, Guyana and China will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties. And over that time, the Ambassador posited that the two countries enjoyed mutually beneficial relations, particularly in the field of business.

With the Chinese embassy serving as the local point of contact for Chinese investors, Ambassador Haiyan said that Chinese investors have always been encouraged to adhere to local laws and cooperate with private sector bodies here.

Asked if she had any concerns about Chinese investors engaging in corrupt practices while seeking to do business in Guyana, the Ambassador said no.

“I didn’t see any corrupt practice,” she said pointedly.

She also added that both the Chinese government and the embassy in Georgetown have required that Chinese companies follow local laws, international practices and marketing rules, and they participate in projects in open and fair processes.

Earlier on Monday, Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali told the News Room that the Vice team that went undercover appeared to have an “incorrect narrative” and as such, he challenged the network to air the full interview conducted with Vice-President Jagdeo.