Prime Minister Gaston Browne has praised China’s global rise and its partnership with Antigua and Barbuda, during celebrations marking the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Speaking before diplomats, dignitaries and government officials on Monday night, Mr Browne said China’s progress offered inspiration to small developing states. He recalled personal visits to the country in 2000 and 2024, describing its transformation as “extraordinary.”
“What I saw in 2024 was a modern, technologically advanced nation that has defied all odds, overcoming the legacies of fascism and colonialism,” he said. “With vision and unity, great progress is possible.”
Shared values and cooperation
The Prime Minister said Antigua and Barbuda and China were united by a philosophy of sovereignty, non-interference and mutual respect. He pointed to initiatives such as the Belt and Road and the Global Development Initiative as creating opportunities for small nations.
Mr Browne noted that Beijing had provided a recent US$100m grant for poverty alleviation and development, contrasting what he called China’s “concessional loans” with the more restrictive policies of international financial institutions.
Landmark projects
Among the major undertakings financed by China, Mr Browne singled out the Booby Alley housing redevelopment, describing it as “a project that touches the lives of our most vulnerable citizens.”
“This project is not just about concrete and steel,” he told the gathering. “It is about lifting people out of poverty, restoring pride in a historic neighbourhood, and proving that no community is forgotten.”
Other projects credited to Chinese support included:
- The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, described as a “gateway to higher education.”
- The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, now a regional sporting hub.
- Investments in seaports and airports to strengthen the country’s position as a tourism and logistics centre.
“These are not token projects,” Mr Browne said. “They are pillars of our nation’s growth and symbols of what genuine partnership can achieve.”
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