China reaffirms commitment to supporting Guyana’s modernisation – Ambassador

Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Yang Yang, has reiterated her Government’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Guyana and supporting the country’s ongoing modernisation efforts. She gave the assurance on Sunday during the commissioning ceremony of the US$262 million Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge – an engineering marvel that was constructed by China Railway Construction (International) Limited. Ambassador Yang said the fixed, high-span cable-stayed bridge stands as a testimony to the speed, technology and high standards of Chinese construction. “It is gratifying to note that the Chinese companies have approached this project not only as bidders but also as responsible partners to the Guyanese people. Hundreds of local technicians have been trained, numerous Guyanese suppliers have joined as partners, creating thousands of jobs and opportunities,” the Chinese diplomat noted. She added that, “this project is not only a bridge of steel and stone but also a bridge of friendship between China and Guyana, a milestone in the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation we are building together.”
The commissioning of the new bridge – which now seamlessly links Region Four and Three – is a new beginning to China-Guyana relations, the ambassador further expressed as she recommitted her country’s intention to continue working with Guyana in its modernisation drive. “China stands ready to work with Guyana to deepen practical cooperation across all fields to support the country’s modernisation drive and to help to improve the wellbeing of the Guyanese people. Within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, our shared goal is to realise the people’s aspirations for common development and a better life,” she stated.
At its highest point, the bridge is 50 metres, which means Handymax vessels can pass uninterrupted comfortably underneath thus allowing for the free flow of vehicular traffic. With a lifespan of 100 years, the bridge is expected to mitigate current traffic woes and congestion. It will operate 24/7, toll-free, and accommodate vehicles of all sizes and weights, with a maximum speed limit of 80 km/h. China is already playing a key role in Guyana’s developmental journey. For instance, Chinese companies constructed the six new regional hospitals that were recently commissioned across the country. Additionally, China Railway First Group Limited is currently executing a US$192 million East Coast Demerara (ECD) Road expansion project in Guyana, funded by a Chinese concessional loan, to upgrade and widen the road from Sheriff Street to Orange Nassau. In 2018, Guyana signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative, a massive global infrastructure and economic development strategy launched by China in 2013, under President Xi Jinping, with the aim of improving global trade and investment links by building infrastructure and connectivity across the world.
Then in 2023, when President Dr Irfaan Ali visited China to meet with President Xi, the two countries signed an MoU on the establishment of an Investment and Economic Working Group to explore new projects under the Belt and Road Initiative framework. By 2023, Guyana became China’s largest trading partner in the Caribbean, with bilateral trade rising 168 per cent from 2022 to 2023 alone. In fact, bilateral trade between Guyana and China has expanded significantly in recent years, reaching an all-time high of approximately US$1.4 billion in 2024. China’s direct investment in Guyana also surged from US$256 million in 2019 to US$10.6 billion in 2024, representing a fortyfold increase. Ambassador Yang had previously noted that Chinese enterprises here have not only undertaken various projects in Guyana, but also actively shouldered social responsibilities. “They have created a large number of job opportunities in Guyana and actively involved in public welfare initiatives such as poverty alleviation, educational support, and charitable donations,” the diplomat had noted. President Ali has repeatedly saluted the Chinese Government’s contribution to Guyana’s development, noting that the co-operation between the two countries spans a broad-spectrum, including areas such as agriculture, education, infrastructure, health, security, sport, arts and culture, telecommunications, technology, trade, transport and private investments.
On numerous occasions, President Ali has made it clear that as Guyana forges ahead with its transformative development and social agenda, China will remain a long-standing partner in that journey.