Xi Jinping Meets with Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali

On the morning of July 28, 2023, President Xi Jinping met in Chengdu with Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali who is in China to attend the opening ceremony of the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games and pay a visit to the country.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Guyana, though far apart, have enjoyed a time-honored friendship. Guyana was the earliest country in the Caribbean region to recognize the one-China principle and establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Last year, the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Guyana was celebrated. In recent years, Guyana has witnessed rapid economic and national development, and China is advancing Chinese modernization on all fronts through high-quality development. China and Guyana should be good friends who trust and count on each other, and both countries should share opportunities, meet challenges, seek cooperation and advance development together, so as to promote the building of a more close-knit China-Guyana community with a shared future.

Xi Jinping stressed that China and Guyana, both developing countries, should strengthen communication and cooperation, firmly support each other, and promote the steady and sustained development of bilateral relations for the fundamental and long-term interests of the two peoples. China is ready to enhance synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Guyana's Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, and elevate the level of high-quality BRI cooperation between the two countries. China welcomes Guyana's participation in the China International Import Expo to introduce more of Guyana's distinctive and quality products into the Chinese market. China encourages its companies to invest in Guyana, expand mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as energy, mining, finance, agriculture, fisheries and infrastructure construction, and foster new sources of growth such as new energy and green development. Both sides need to strengthen people-to-people exchanges, facilitate the flow of people, and consolidate the foundation of public support for friendship between the two countries. China and Guyana have broad common interests and similar positions in international and regional affairs. Xi Jinping congratulated Guyana on being elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2024-2025 term. China supports Guyana in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs, and is ready to work with Guyana to practice true multilateralism, safeguard the common interests of numerous developing countries, jointly tackle global challenges including climate change, food security and energy security, and build a human community with a shared future together.

Xi Jinping pointed out that during his first visit to the Caribbean region in 2013, he joined leaders of nine Caribbean countries having established diplomatic relations with China in establishing a comprehensive cooperative partnership between China and the Caribbean countries. China has always supported the Caribbean countries in seeking strength through unity, and pursuing development and prosperity, and is ready to work with the Caribbean countries to build an even closer community with a shared future between China and the Caribbean countries. Xi Jinping expressed the hope that Guyana will continue to play an active role in promoting the development of relations between China and the Caribbean countries.

Noting the sound growth of Guyana-China relations and solid political mutual trust, Ali said the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Guyana and China have been years of friendship, cooperation, and mutual support. Guyana firmly abides by the one-China principle, highly admires President Xi Jinping's outstanding leadership, and highly values China's international influence. China has played an important role in the economic and social development of Guyana and the Caribbean region, not only by sharing its experience but also providing valuable assistance for Guyana and other regional countries in developing infrastructure, connectivity, medicine and health, among others. Guyana regards China as a highly reliable cooperative partner and welcomes Chinese companies to invest and do business in Guyana. Guyana hopes to carry out close cooperation with China to better address global challenges such as energy, climate change and food security. Guyana supports a series of major initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping and actively participates in BRI cooperation. Guyana is ready to maintain close communication and cooperation with China to promote the building of a human community with a shared future and the establishment of a more just and equitable international order. Guyana will continue to actively promote the development of the Caribbean Community's relations with China.

Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Wang Yi, and Shen Yiqin, among others, attended the meeting.