“A symbol of friendship between Guyana and China” – President Ali

– as US$10.8M Guyana-China Friendship Park commissioned

The US$10.8 million Guyana-China Friendship Park, formerly Joe Vieira Park, on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD), is being hailed as a symbol of the strong and robust bilateral cooperation between the two countries – one that is deeply rooted in history.

The modern recreational facility, outfitted with dedicated sporting areas and lush green spaces, was formally handed over to the Guyanese Government during a commissioning ceremony on Sunday to officially declare the park open.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali reminded that the bonds between the two countries date back to some 173 years ago in 1853, when the first batch of Chinese indentured laborers was brought here to work on sugar plantations in the then British Guiana.
Most of the more than 600 Chinese indentured immigrants who arrived in that first year were assigned to plantations across Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). For this reason, President Ali says that the location of this new park is especially symbolic.
“It is therefore fitting that this park-a symbol of friendship between Guyana and China – should be located here in West Demerara. For it is on this very soil, watered by the labor and sacrifice of those first indentured souls, that a human thread of connection between our two peoples was first woven,” Ali stated.
He noted that the thread was further strengthened in 1972 when independent Guyana established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. Since then, the Guyanese leader added that the two countries have been bonded by an unbreakable friendship, forged in history and trust, and polished by more than five decades of official cooperation.

Economic contributions
President Ali further pointed out that those Chinese indentured immigrants who came here between 1853 and 1879 became entrepreneurs, farmers, shopkeepers, teachers, patriots, civil servants, doctors, accountants, and jurists-all of whom played a disproportionately significant role in the development of commerce and the diversification of economic life in Guyana.
According to the Head of State, the Chinese contributions to economic development in Guyana continue even today with new waves of investors and entrepreneurs from China coming here.
“They are deeply involved in commerce. Chinese construction firms are reshaping our coastline and our skyline, building bridges that unite, roads that open opportunities, and facilities, such as this one, that dignify our friendship. And beyond infrastructure, Guyana enjoys healthy and robust cooperation with China in the fields of health, education, security cooperation, trade, agriculture, sport, and culture. China’s envelope of assistance to Guyana has always been welcomed and appreciated,” the president posited.
More significantly about this new park, however, is the fact that it was once a plantation. The land was officially declared a public park in March 1982 after it was gifted to the government by then owner, Joseph Vieira-whom President Ali specially thanked.
Joe Vieira Park, now officially the Guyana-China Friendship Park, features a wide range of amenities, including a forest picnic area, wooden walkways, a Mandarin duck pavilion, a landscaped lake, bridges and corridors, a hydrophilic platform, basketball and tennis courts, a football field with seating for approximately 500 spectators, pavilions, and a manufacturing plaza.
The construction of the park was executed by China Southwest Architectural Design and Research Institute Corp Ltd and CSCEC Southwest Consultancy Co Ltd, and lasted for 18 months.

Independence gift
According to Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Yang Yang, this Friendship Park is a China Aid project and demonstrates China’s excellence in design and construction.
“This park integrates the culture and aesthetics of China and Guyana. The style of Chinese gardens perfectly matches with Guyanese wetlands, while Chinese recreational facilities are surrounded by beautiful local plants… Taking the local climate into account, durable materials, advanced technology, and high standards of construction were used, delivering a landmark for balancing sustainability and high-quality construction,” she stated.
In addition, Ambassador Yang said the design exemplifies the people-centered philosophy shared by Guyana and China-one that ensures people not only find diverse sports fields for football, basketball, and table tennis but also a public space for citizens to relax, entertain, and connect.

The Chinese Ambassador further stated that this park represents a tribute by the Chinese Government to Guyana on its 60th Independence Anniversary-celebrating the long-lasting and strong friendship.
“I’ve been constantly amazed by Guyana’s rapid development and the resilience of the Guyanese people. Therefore, I’m remarkably confident in our future cooperation across all fields,” Ambassador Yang noted.
Meanwhile, also delivering remarks during Sunday’s commissioning ceremony of the Guyana-China Friendship Park was Chairman of the Protected Areas Commission (PAC), Robert Persaud, who described the facility as a monument to the strong friendship between the two countries.
He said the space serves as a bridge to connect people, nature, and community in keeping with President Ali ‘s vision to make Guyana healthier, greener, and more deeply connected.
“Well-designed public spaces do more than beautify communities. They help communities in a way that matters most. They create connections. They give children spaces to play, families places to gather, young people place to exercise, and seniors’ places to find calm, health, and belonging,” Persaud stated.