Latest update September 7th, 2026 10:50 AM
Latest News
- President Ali’s mother sues Hana Mohamed for $600M in libel claim
- “U.S. grateful to Guyana for helping address migration issues” – Ambassador Theriot
- Ram urges Pres. Ali to ring-fence new oil projects to stop Exxon eating into Guyana’s profits
- Fire destroys house at Ogle
- Iran warns of ‘painful response’ if it suffers further attacks
China and the Guyana border controversy
Editorial…
Kaieteur News- China has made its position clear. It is not taking any side in Guyana-Venezuela border controversy. In keeping with its earlier call for noninterference by outsiders, and that dialogue between Guyana and Venezuela is of paramount importance, China took the opportunity to let Guyana, and the world, know its standing policy.
In the words of China’s Deputy Chief of Mission in Guyana, Huang Rui, “If you actually follow the Chinese foreign policies, all those policies, as long as possible, you will see, first of all, we never intervene in internal affairs of any nation. The second principle is we always respect [other countries] sovereignty and territorial [integrity], that’s all.” On absorbing those carefully weighed words, many would conclude that the Chinese mind their own business, never cast covetous eyes on other nations’ territory. Or that China is a model of self-restraint regarding how other countries conduct their affairs. Meaning, that it doesn’t stick its nose where it doesn’t belong. Whether so or not, we think that the Chinese government, through its senior diplomat Huang Rui, is sending a nuanced message to America.
The veiled hint in the Chinese message is that the US has overstepped in Guyana, and has overplayed its hand with Guyana being the biggest beneficiary. Venezuela has been neutralized, as America keeps up its direct pressures on the Maduro regime, while working through a Guyana that is deep in its clutches, and only too glad for superpower backing. A second message from the Chinese could be closer to home, which is to the Government of Guyana. In blunt terms, stop relying so heavily, exclusively, on America, and be careful about provoking Venezuela too far through such action. We think that as much as Guyana needs a security blanket, it has gone too far with the PPPC Government’s slavish surrender to America. With a view to the rate of Guyana’s dependency on its American champion, the leaders of this country have all but given up on any pride in national sovereignty and decisions that go into national self-determination. From every indication, Guyana is now exposed to Venezuelan backlash from what that country may consider to be American excess.
American overreach, as originating here, and openly, if not excitedly, welcomed here. One aggressive move too many by friendly outsiders, and Guyana could find itself trapped in the middle of what is outside of its control. A state of reduced tensions and neighborly relations are much desired, but both Guyana and Venezuela have to work without pause to achieve those. When outsiders get involved too deeply, and it could change the delicate balance that exists in the hemisphere.
This is something that we will say, notwithstanding the Chinese position on noninterference. Big powers like China and America have their range of interests, and the priority that they give them. Guyana’s leaders must be sensible so as not to be drawn in almost wholly on the side of any single power, or allow them to make our challenges their battles. Big powers always have their strategic visions and national motivations, and China and America are no exceptions. China has a presence in both Guyana and Venezuela, so public neutrality helps it to balance its own interests in a tricky situation. It doesn’t want to jeopardize its investments here nor there. In fact, and as based on the way that the Chinese operate, the superpower from the East is most likely keen on broadening its presence in both Guyana and Venezuela. Therefore, it is in Chinese interests to keep both sides believing that it is taking a nonaligned and noninterference approach to the longstanding border controversy. Why be too friendly with one side, and risk being seen as an enemy by the other.
Perhaps it may be too late, because Guyana has outsourced responsibility for its destiny. Further, it is still unclear as to the degree to which Guyana and Venezuela fit into the Chinese blueprint. We think that the leaders of this country have put it into a bind. Guyanese may think that they have the best protection. But is it really for them? Noninterference sounds good on paper, but who upholds their end of that commitment, when their ambitions are threatened?
Share this:
Discover more from Kaieteur News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Similar Articles
Website Hits
Blunt of the day
Sports
Features/Columnists
Sir. Ronald Sanders
The GHK Lall Column
Weekend Cartoon
