–expected to grow from strength to strength says Chinese envoy

By Wendella Davidson

EVER since Guyana became the first English-speaking Caribbean country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China 47 years ago, it has been a genuine friend and reliable partner.

According to China’s Ambassador to Guyana Cui Jianchun, the two peoples have maintained a close friendship, and the two governments have continuously deepened pragmatic cooperation in various areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, trade, investment, information technology, public health, etc.

And with Guyana expected to witness a transformative economic boom driven by oil and gas production, he said, as long as the two countries continue to respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, treat each other as equals, share mutual benefits, the relationship will enjoy steady and sustained development and upgrade to a new level.
Addressing a distinguished gathering, among whom were President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his wife, Sita, at a reception at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) on Monday night in honour of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese envoy added that he has full confidence that both sides can seize more opportunities and secure more successes in the future.

He recalled China and Guyana signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Belt and Road Initiative in 2018, and the State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi paid a historic visit to Guyana. Also, Guyana participated in the first China International Import Expo and promoted Guyanese feature products to the Chinese market.
Since 1993, 15 batches of Chinese medical brigade have worked in Guyana and treated around 25 000 patients annually. This year, 16 Guyanese youth were awarded the Chinese government scholarships to study in Chinese universities. Additionally, Chinese and Guyanese experts and officials in the environment, audit, laws, agriculture, and military sectors conducted multilevel in-depth communications.

Currently, the two countries are cooperating under the Belt and Road Initiative in five priorities, namely policy coordination, connectivity of infrastructure, unimpeded trade, financial integration, and people-to-people ties, based on three fundamental principles, namely extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, and endeavouring to bring tangible outcomes to the two peoples, the envoy added.

CHINA’S MANY ACHIEVEMENTS
Touching on China’s achievements, Ambassador Cui Jianchun said from 1949 to 2019, the People’s Republic of China has travelled a 70-year glorious journey and its relations with the international community has changed from catching up with the others to participating and taking the lead in building a better world.

Noting that the country is fully committed to the independent foreign policy of peace, a path of peaceful development, and an opening up strategy of mutual benefit, he added that China has become the second-largest financial contributor to the United Nation’s regular and peacekeeping budget.

As of September 2019, 166 countries and international organisations have signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with China, the envoy said, adding that China is willing to work together with all nations to build a new model of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation, to build a community with a shared future for mankind, and to build an open, inclusive, clean, and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security, and common prosperity.

During the 70-year period, China has changed from a poor and backward nation to the world’s second-largest economy, with its gross domestic product (GDP) increased from 30 billion US Dollars in 1949 to more than 13.6 trillion US Dollars in 2018. The GDP accounted for nearly 16 percent of the world’s total in 2018, comparing with 1.8 percent in 1978. The country contributed to global annual economic growth by more than 30 percent over the recent consecutive years, and has a big market of 1.4 billion people. It has been, and will continue to be, a major propeller of the economic growth and vitality of the world, said the envoy, as he welcomed all countries aboard the express train of China’s development and work together to build a bright future.

Also, the lives of Chinese people changed from lack of clothes and food to moderate prosperity, and since the reform and opening up in 1978, China has lifted more than 700 million people out of poverty, and more than 400 million people reached the middle-income level. It has also made a 70 percent contribution to poverty reduction worldwide, which is legendary in human history.

READY TO SHARE
The envoy posited that by the year 2020, China will build a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and it will be the first time in Chinese history that absolute poverty will be eradicated. China is ready to share with other countries its experience in targeted poverty alleviation and eradication, and make its contribution to the global fight against poverty.
The great achievements were scored, as a result of China having led the hardworking Chinese people using their wisdom to find a path suited to national conditions and the call of our times, which is the socialism with Chinese characteristics. Also because of the country’s committment to deepen reform and opening up, pursue peace and prosperity together with the people all over the world. China cannot achieve its development without the help and the support of its international friends. We welcome all of you to visit China and see the real and colorful country.

Today, we also provide a photo exhibition and videos to enable persons to learn more about China, the ambassador added..

On October 1, 70 years ago, the people’s leader, Chairman Mao Zedong, standing on top of the Tian’anmen Gate, solemnly announced the birth of the People’s Republic of China to the whole world and the five-star red flag, our national flag, was raised for the first time in Tian’anmen Square in Beijing.

That day witnessed the rebirth of the Chinese nation, marked the Chinese history entering a new era and began a new voyage towards China’s national rejuvenation. Through hard work the leader united all Chinese people as one, led them forging ahead through arduous struggles, made tremendous changes, blazed a new path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and accomplished epic achievements which captured the world’s attention.