The Chinese Embassy in Georgetown today said it will spare no effort to promote “high quality development” here in Guyana, as the country embarks on major transformation and development.
At a press conference today at the Embassy, China’s Deputy Chief of Mission, Huang Rui, said since China and Guyana established diplomatic relations in 1972, Beijing has remained a “reliable partner and friend,” and remains committed to the development of Guyana as it undergoes social and economic transformation.
“Since we established diplomatic relations more than 50 years ago, China has been a reliable partner and friend of Guyana. Guyana also, it is two ways; not one way. Especially, recently under the leadership of President Ali, Guyana has launched the biggest economic and social transformation. As a partner and a friend of Guyana, we participate fully,” the Deputy Chief of Mission said.
According to Deputy Chief of Mission, there are 18 medium to large scale Chinese companies operating in Guyana presently. He said those companies are aiding Guyana’s development through various projects have over 2500 Chinese workers and more than 3000 Guyanese workers.
The medium to large scale companies complement a pool of small-scale Chinese companies and businesses that are also present in Guyana.
“We not only provide the hardware, we help Guyana to build roads, build bridges and also build airports. And also, not only hardware but also software,” Rui said.
CNOOC, China’s state-owned oil company, which has a 25% working interest in the Stabroek Oil Block, is among the big Chinese companies operating in Guyana.
China’s Deputy Chief of Mission said around 50% of the people working for CNOOC in Guyana are Guyanese, and together with its co-partners in the Stabroek Block, the company has aided in the employment of thousands of other Guyanese.
“Up to the end of last year, that is 2024, the project of Stabroek Block, co-developed by CNOOC, they produced more than 6,000 jobs for local people. So, the local force dominates or the percentage of local force is around 70% of the workers who are employed by the oil and gas industry,” he said.
Through the Ministry of Natural Resources, CNOOC, according to Rui, has provided a total of 20 scholarships for Guyanese to pursue their studies in the field of Oil and Gas during the period 2023-2027.
He also stated that the company has developed around 50 projects and invested more than US$2M.
In addition to energy and education, CNOOC has also been providing support in the areas of security, and the development of indigenous communities.
China Railway Construction Caribbean Company Limited (CRCC) is another Chinese company operating here. CRCC is building the new US$260M bridge across the Demerara River.
While assuring that the project will be completed in August, the Deputy Chief of Mission said CRCC has employed more than 700 persons to construct the bridge.
“They already train around 25 engineers, not workers, Guyanese engineers, and more than 300 Guyanese skilled workers. And they have the business cooperation with local suppliers, with more than 100 local suppliers…and they created directly or indirectly job opportunities, that is more than 1,500 job opportunities for the local,” Rui said.
The Deputy Chief of Mission also used the opportunity to dismiss claims by US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, that a bad road that he traveled on in Guyana during a recent visit was built by a Chinese company.
Rui said China is not in the business of pointing fingers, or calling out companies, but noted that contrary to the narrative by the US Secretary of State, China has helped Guyana to build “many high quality roads” and will continue to do so.
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