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Antigua and Barbuda and China Deepen Bilateral Ties with Signing of $14 Million Grant and Blue Economy Feasibility Agreement
In a significant reaffirmation of the longstanding diplomatic relationship, the Governments of Antigua and Barbuda and the People’s Republic of China on Friday formalized two major agreements—cementing financial and technical support for national development and sustainable economic growth.
The agreements, signed and exchanged in a formal ceremony attended by Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne and Her Excellency Madame Zhan Yanling, Chinese Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda, include:
- A $14 million USD grant for socioeconomic and infrastructure development, and
- A technical cooperation agreement to conduct a feasibility study on Antigua and Barbuda’s Blue Economy potential.
In his address, Prime Minister Browne praised China as one of Antigua and Barbuda’s “most reliable and generous development partners,” noting that this latest grant brings the total value of Chinese-supported development assistance close to $1 billion USD over several decades.
“China has been there for us—quietly, respectfully, and consistently,” PM Browne stated. “From climate resilience and renewable energy to education, infrastructure, and healthcare—China has played a central role in building our capacity and lifting our people.”
The Prime Minister emphasized that the newly signed $14 million grant will directly support critical projects including the replacement of aging water pipes, an area of urgent national priority due to frequent disruptions. Other ongoing collaborations mentioned include housing developments in Booby Alley and Jennings, agricultural initiatives, and solar energy infrastructure.
Ambassador Zhan Yanling highlighted the broader vision of China’s engagement with Antigua and Barbuda, characterizing the partnership as a model of mutual respect, equality, and shared benefit.
“This agreement is more than symbolic—it marks the beginning of a new phase of implementation,” she said. “Our cooperation is aligned with the outcomes of the recent China–CELAC Ministerial Forum, and contributes to our shared aspirations for peace, connectivity, and sustainable development.”
She noted that the agreements are tangible outcomes of high-level discussions between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Browne, and reflect China’s commitment to supporting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in their pursuit of resilience and economic diversification.
One of the signed agreements will initiate a feasibility study on Antigua and Barbuda’s Blue Economy, with the support of Chinese technical experts. The initiative seeks to identify pathways for economic growth through the sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources—positioning Antigua and Barbuda as a regional leader in marine-based development.
Prime Minister Browne welcomed this, stating:
“This study will help us unlock the untapped value of our marine ecosystems and create new opportunities in aquaculture, eco-tourism, and marine research—areas that are vital for our long-term sustainability.”
Prime Minister Browne also spoke candidly about China’s unique position on the global stage and praised its role in providing development financing that surpasses even multilateral institutions like the World Bank.
“Unlike others, China doesn’t ask us to take sides in geopolitical conflicts,” Browne said. “They respect our sovereignty and support our development based on solidarity, not strings.”
He reaffirmed Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to China as a “reliable and principled partner”, adding that his government is willing to serve as an honest broker in global diplomacy to foster peace, particularly amid rising tensions between global powers.
“Geopolitical conflicts don’t create value—they destroy it,” he said. “We suffer the consequences disproportionately, which is why we advocate for peace and prosperity for all.”
The ceremony concluded with a strong message of unity and optimism, as both leaders committed to nurturing their countries’ bilateral relationship.
“Our philosophy is one of resilient prosperity,” PM Browne said. “With China’s help, we continue to expand our socio-economic infrastructure and improve the lives of our people.”
Ambassador Zhan affirmed China’s commitment to building a “shared future” with Antigua and Barbuda and reiterated her confidence that the cooperation will yield transformational outcomes in the years ahead. (ENDS)
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Look for it, they first gave our marionette politicians sound bites at the colonized commonwealth meetings like ” blue economy” so that when they sell out our fishing areas to these large global corporation, we are desensitized by the word blue economy, our sea water will be colonized next, instead a the government get grants plus use our tax dollar to get fishing trawler for our local fisherman and lease it to them, these politicians do some pernicious things in plain sight because of a semiliterate population,
Please cease and desist from selling our fish stock.
I know because a poverty caused by slavery our fisherman don’t have the infrastructure, try and outsmart Japan who built us fisheries facility because they want to hunt whales to instead give us at least a few hundred fishing trawler each year, and china too.
In this blue economy saga, not a account will be visible of the money derived from our fishing resources because that will be subjected to the creativeness of the politicians to make deals and so pocket the funds, just as how you can’t tell where CIP monies are, we were told it’s in an offshore bank, if the ALP government lose power, no government will be able to recover those funds.
Gatson Browne, if you claim we have such a thriving economy and the second largest growing one in the entire Caribbean, why do you keep borrowing money, and continue to get into debt with these people?
It just absolutely befuddles me when this man talk about Antigua’s great economy, and then turn around a sell out the country to these foreigners!
Where is the peoples purse Gatson?
Isn’t there any money in the Treasury which you can use for some of these projects? But you raise transport fees to build the roads, you went after the alpha, now your borrowing money (again) from the Chinese for this simple project.
You keep getting caught in your own lies Gatson, because the math just ain’t mathing.
Where has all the collected revenue gone in this ” second biggest growing economy” in the Caribbean Gatson?
All this borrowing and raising taxes, just doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. Now you are also coming after the citizens social security.
An audit needs to be done on the peoples purse, the Treasury ASAP.
Something is off here.
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