Guyana

China and Guyana should be good friends and partners that trust and rely on each other, share opportunities, meet challenges and seek cooperation and common development, President Xi Jinping said in a meeting with Guyanese President Irfaan Ali.

Xi lauded the long-standing friendship between the two nations, noting that Guyana was one of the first countries in the Caribbean region to recognize the one-China principle and establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.

China and Guyana, as two developing countries, should strengthen communication and cooperation, firmly support each other and promote stable bilateral relations for the fundamental and long-term interests of their peoples, he said.

He expressed readiness to lift the level of bilateral cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative with Guyana.

Xi extended a welcoming message to the Guyanese side for taking part in the China International Import Expo to enable more imports from the Caribbean country into the Chinese market.

China will encourage more businesses to invest in Guyana, expand win-win cooperation in areas including energy, mining, finance, agriculture, fisheries and infrastructure development, and jointly foster new growth engines of new energy and green development, he said.

The president urged both sides to strengthen people-to-people exchanges, facilitate mutual travel and visits, and consolidate the foundation of public support for friendship between the two countries.

He highlighted the need for both nations to uphold true multilateralism, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and jointly address global challenges such as climate change, food security and energy security.

He also expressed his hope that Guyana will continue to play an active role in promoting relations between China and the Caribbean countries.

President Ali said his country highly admires Xi's outstanding leadership and values Beijing's global influence.

Guyana regards China as a highly reliable partner and welcomes Chinese companies to invest and do business in Guyana, he said, adding that his country supports the major initiatives proposed by the Chinese president and will continue to take an active part in the BRI.

XU WEI