Interview: Guyana's president deems China an important partner in national development

Guyanese President Irfaan Ali receives an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Georgetown, Guyana, on Oct. 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Yongzheng)

by Xu Yongzheng, Meng Yifei

GEORGETOWN, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Guyanese President Irfaan Ali said cooperation with China has achieved unprecedented progress since the establishment of diplomatic ties 53 years ago, voicing hope for more practical cooperation in various fields.

China has actively participated in Guyana's development in areas such as healthcare and infrastructure, making significant contributions to the country's progress over the past half century, Ali told Xinhua in an interview on Friday.

On the China-proposed Global Governance Initiative, Ali reaffirmed Guyana's firm belief in multilateralism, depicting multilateralism as key to building a more balanced world and tackling global challenges such as energy, food and climate security.

"We do not believe in development by isolation. We do not believe in advancement of humanity by isolation," he said.

Ali noted that the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge, built by China Railway Construction Corporation International, stands as a symbol of Guyana's modernization and transformation.

"It is not only iconic for Guyana, but also for the wider Caribbean and Latin America," he said.

He thanked Chinese and local engineers and workers for building the new bridge. "I want to take this moment to thank them for their labor, for their service, for their hard work, and for allowing our country this moment to celebrate such a significant, transformative piece of infrastructure," he said.

Ali said China could play a key role in Guyana's Low-carbon Development Strategy 2030 by helping to build a fair and predictable carbon market.

He also expressed hope for more practical cooperation between the two sides in areas such as knowledge sharing, healthcare, food security and ecotourism.

Ali voiced Guyana's readiness to serve as a bridge to promote broader cooperation between China and Caribbean countries. He noted that the region urgently needs a framework for regional development, especially to address climate change, and that China's experience in renewable energy could serve as a valuable reference.

"I look forward to China's leadership and participation and collaboration with Caribbean Community in these areas," he said.  

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 25, 2025 shows the new Demerara River Bridge under construction in Guyana. (China Railway Construction Corporation/Handout via Xinhua)