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‘China only brings its best to work in Guyana’
…Secretary Rubio should get his facts before speaking—diplomat
Kaieteur News- The Chinese Embassy in Guyana has pushed back against comments made by United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who criticised the quality of a road he traveled on during a visit here, casting the blame on Chinese construction company.
China’s Deputy Chief of Mission in Guyana, Huang Rui
But speaking at a press briefing last Wednesday, China’s Deputy Chief of Mission in Guyana, Huang Rui, dismissed those remarks, stating that China only recommends its most qualified state-owned companies to work in Guyana and that all projects go through strict procedures and oversight. The Chinese diplomat said, “We only recommend those qualified state-owned companies to work here. That’s number one, that’s the first procedure.”
He noted that all companies whether Chinese, American, or local must go through a bidding process governed by Guyanese law and are subject to oversight and monitoring. “There are also some monitoring processes or monitoring agencies, not only from the Guyana side… even when the road is actually finished, there will be a complete, holistic assessment. If they cannot pass that assessment, the company must continue to do their job until the Guyanese government is satisfied,” Rui stated.
The diplomat questioned the credibility of the statement made by Secretary Rubio arguing that it lacked factual basis and disregarded the work China has done in Guyana. “No matter how senior you are…first of all you should do your investigation. So, without fact, you cannot say,” he noted.
Rubio, shortly after leaving Guyana, made reference to the bumpy nature of one of the roads he was driven on, noting that “we almost had concussions.” While at a press conference in neighbouring Suriname, the US official spoke about the poor quality of roads in Guyana and cast the blame on the Chinese. The US$65 million road that Rubio referred to was, in fact, built by local contractors. The highway connects Eccles with Great Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD). Rubio had to traverse this highway to make his way from the airport to Guyana’s capital.
Secretary Rubio’s remarks sparked responses not only from the Chinese Embassy but also from Guyana’s Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo. In his response, Jagdeo noted that the government had already planned an asphaltic overlay for the road, and while it’s not perfect, criticism should be viewed in context.
Rubio had also criticized China’s Belt and Road Initiative, claiming that Chinese companies do “a terrible job,” and bring in their own workers. However, the Chinese Embassy maintains that its projects are above board and carried out in close coordination with Guyanese authorities.
Rui disclose too that the number of mid-sized, state-owned Chinese enterprises currently operating in Guyana stands at 18. He said that these companies collectively employ around 6,000 people.
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