Guyana and China have reaffirmed their growing partnership with a renewed pledge to expand trade and investment cooperation, following high-level talks between Guyanese Foreign Minister Hugh Todd and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Monday.
The meeting marked a significant moment in Guyana’s diplomatic relations with China, which date back to 1972 when Guyana became the first English-speaking Caribbean country to establish ties with the Asian powerhouse. Today, Guyana is China’s largest trading partner in the Caribbean—a distinction that both nations are looking to deepen further.
In their discussions, Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized China’s continued support for Guyana’s independent development path and proposed bolstering cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Key areas of interest include energy, mining, agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing, infrastructure, and emerging sectors such as digital technology and the green economy.
“China will encourage more enterprises to invest in Guyana to help drive industrial upgrades and promote economic self-reliance,” Wang said, stressing that China’s engagement is based on mutual respect and a shared vision for development—not colonial or geopolitical ambition.
Todd, who has visited China three years in a row, acknowledged the visible impact of Chinese investment in Guyana and welcomed further collaboration. “Chinese companies have played a pivotal role in supporting our development goals,” he said. “We’re ready to deepen this partnership in areas that can bring tangible benefits to our people.”
The two ministers also discussed broader international issues, including China’s global governance initiatives and their shared commitment to multilateralism. Todd praised China’s leadership in global affairs and reiterated Guyana’s support for defending international law and the role of the United Nations.
They also agreed to work toward building a “community with a shared future” between China and the broader Latin America and Caribbean region—an ambition that aligns with Guyana’s strategic position as both a CARICOM member state and an emerging economic player.
As global challenges mount, the strengthened cooperation between China and Guyana signals a deepening of South-South ties, with both countries emphasizing sustainable development, technological exchange, and equitable international engagement.