RESPONSE BY THE PRESIDENT OF GUYANA HIS EXCELLENCY BHARRAT JAGDEO
TO THE TOAST BY MADAME WU YI, STATE COUNCILLOR OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AT A BANQUET HELD IN HER HONOUR BY THE AMBASSADOR OF CHINA - January 7th, 2003

Madame Wu Yi, State Councillor of the People’s Republic of China
Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China
Distinguished Members of the visiting delegation of
The People’s Republic of China
Honourable Prime Minister
Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly
Honourable Ministers of Government
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

I am pleased to acknowledge your gracious remarks, Madame Wu, and to accept the cordial sentiments which you have expressed. I interpret them as reflective of the enduring fraternal relations between my country and the Government and people of the People’s Republic of China.
It is to the credit of our nations that preceding structural global changes, and long before the economic dynamism of China had become apparent, we had established, nurtured and expressed a relationship founded on mutual respect and fortified by robust engagements at the political, diplomatic, economic, and cultural levels. Happily, my country has the distinction of displaying the global foresight and political will necessary for establishing diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China thirty years ago.
Let me concede that besides political and economic considerations, the establishment of friendly relations with your country was a natural and logical development propelled by the fact that 150 years previously the first set of Chinese immigrants made Guyana their home. They bequeathed a cultural legacy which today is woven into the social tapestry of our nation.
Madame Wu Yi, today we are able to identify examples of co-operation and point to mutually satisfying accomplishments. Beyond the friendship and cooperation which characterise our relations, our mutual desire to play our part in the fashioning of a just, equitable, and peaceful world system has expanded our collaboration and further cemented Guyana/China relations.
Further, there continues to be remarkable coincidence of views between our two countries. This allows Guyana to work with China in global fora such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation, and within the Group of 77 for our mutual benefit and that of the wider community of nations.

Madame Wu Yi,
Guyana has benefited in substantial measure from its relations with the People’s Republic of China: Your resourceful nation has made expertise available for the acceleration of our agricultural sector; the development of our textile industry; in the field of medicine; hydropower generation; fisheries; in the birth of the clay-brick industry and through many other forms of technical cooperation. My country remains sincerely appreciative of the assistance received in these various sectors.
There are already significant landmarks to the beneficial results of our relationship. I however, believe that your country’s offer to provide the assistance for the construction of a modern Convention centre, when completed, will be a monument to the bond of friendship between our two countries. This form of support is in keeping with the People's Republic of China's commitment to the principles of the Group of 77 and to the cause of South-South Cooperation.
Today's signing of a number of agreements is continuing affirmation of China's commitment to aid developing countries. My country is particularly appreciative of the assistance granted in the form of debt relief. This will allow my Government to redirect resources to the constant and continuing battle to reduce poverty and improve the welfare of our people.
Guyana applauds the continued engagement of the People’s Republic of China with the Caribbean. The recently concluded inaugural Meeting for consultations between the Foreign Minister of China and his Caribbean counterparts highlights the importance your Government places on its relations with our Region and the developing world as a whole. Guyana is pleased to have been a part of this Meeting and remains committed to working with the Government of China in the furtherance of global peace and human development.
Let me take this opportunity to commend the astute leadership of China on your country’s successful bid to host the World Expo 2010 which Guyana was pleased to support.
Guyana has been consistent in its support for the "One China" Policy and I wish to reassure you of my Government's unwavering and continuing support for this principle.
It will be my honour to visit the People’s Republic of China towards the end of the 1st quarter of the new year and I am especially looking forward to meeting the Leaders of your country in our search for new areas of cooperation. I am persuaded that the economies of both of our countries have room for expanded investment.
I would like to wish you and your delegation a pleasant stay in Guyana and to propose a toast to the good health of the Leaders of the People’s Republic of China; to the further strengthening of the bonds of friendship between our two countries; and to the prosperity of your esteemed people.