Guyana-China trade soars past US$2.9B

Feb 02, 2026 News

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– as ambassador pushes for Spring Festival to be national holiday

Kaieteur News – With bilateral trade surging to nearly US$2.9 billion in 2025, more than doubling within a year and cementing China’s position as one of Guyana’s major trading partners, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Yang Yang, last Friday night underscored the deepening economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries while also calling for wider recognition of the Chinese Spring Festival as a national holiday, during remarks delivered ahead of the 2026 celebrations.

Speaking at a reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy, Ambassador Yang extended early New Year greetings to Chinese nationals and the Guyanese public, noting that the upcoming Spring Festival – February 17, 2026 will usher in the Year of the Horse, a symbol of vitality, perseverance and determination in Chinese culture.

She described the Spring Festival as the most important cultural celebration in China, emphasising its themes of family unity, harmony and hope. The Ambassador highlighted that in 2023 the United Nations General Assembly officially recognised the Spring Festival as a UN holiday, while nearly 20 countries now observe it as a public holiday.

“The ‘Chinese New Year’ is becoming a ‘World New Year,’” Yang said, adding that members of Guyana’s Chinese community have expressed hope that the Government of Guyana would consider officially designating the festival as a national holiday to allow more citizens to participate in the celebration.

Drawing symbolic parallels between the two nations, Yang noted that red, the dominant colour of the Spring Festival is also featured on Guyana’s national flag, representing vitality and progress. The Ambassador also outlined China’s recent economic achievements, stating that despite global economic challenges, the country recorded a 5 percent GDP growth rate in 2025, with total output surpassing 140 trillion yuan for the first time. She said China now contributes roughly 30 percent of global economic growth, providing stability to the international economy.

She further disclosed that China’s total imports and exports exceeded 45 trillion yuan last year, reflecting continued economic openness. Yang also referenced President Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative launched in September 2025, which she said contributes to reforming and strengthening international cooperation frameworks.

Bilateral Relations on ‘Fast Track’

Turning to Guyana-China relations, the Ambassador said the partnership between the two countries has entered a “fast track” of development under the strategic leadership of Presidents Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Xi Jinping. According to Yang, bilateral trade between Guyana and China reached nearly US$2.9 billion in 2025, more than double the figure recorded the previous year. She highlighted the completion of the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge by a Chinese company, describing it as a “Bridge of Friendship and Development” that is improving transportation, easing daily commutes and stimulating regional economic activity.

Yang also pointed to the six regional hospitals constructed by Chinese firms, which she said have become a flagship symbol of cooperation under the “Health Silk Road” initiative. She praised the work of Chinese medical teams stationed in Guyana, noting their life-saving contributions and the positive reception from Guyanese citizens.

The Ambassador reported increased people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, revealing that more than 200 Guyanese professionals from government, healthcare, business and other sectors traveled to China in 2025 for training programmes. She said the skills and knowledge gained have already begun contributing to Guyana’s national development agenda.

Looking ahead, Yang said Guyana stands to benefit from China’s long-term development planning under the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee. She reaffirmed China’s commitment to working with Guyana to implement bilateral agreements and expand cooperation across infrastructure, trade, healthcare and cultural exchange. She noted that future collaboration will focus on strengthening both “hard connectivity” through physical infrastructure projects and “soft connectivity” by deepening cultural and social ties between citizens.

Chinese community has flourished

Meanwhile, in remarks, Prime Minister, Mark Phillips said the Spring Festival represents a time for unity, hope and renewal for the Chinese people, which is rooted in valued traditions, bringing together families and communities to share their aspirations for the year ahead. “As the Year of the Fire Horse begins, on behalf of His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the Government, and the people of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, I extend my best wishes to His Excellency Xi Jinping, the Government, and the people of the People’s Republic of China for a successful, progressive, and joyous year ahead. And let us be reminded of the qualities of this magnificent animal – perseverance, energy and independence.  May these qualities give us the strength to work even harder towards our goals, embrace new opportunities, and approach challenges with confidence, energy and strength over the next year.”

Phillips said Guyana takes great pride in its Chinese community, which has flourished since their arrival on our shores on January 12, 1853, marking 173 years of remarkable growth and development. “Our Chinese brothers and sisters have contributed significantly to Guyana’s social, cultural and economic fabric. We have seen how dedicated, persistent, and entrepreneurial they are, and how these traits have helped shape our business sector, especially in trade, retail, and business development. Furthermore, Chinese festivals, food, and cultural traditions have also added vibrancy and diversity to Guyana’s multicultural society. We deeply appreciate the values of family unity, respect for tradition, and the spirit of understanding and harmony that the Chinese community has helped to strengthen nationally,” the prime minister said.

He said this festive occasion also provides an opportunity to reflect on the strong ties of friendship and partnership that persist between Guyana and China. “We have built a robust and dynamic partnership over the years, based on mutual respect and shared vision and interests for growth and development – both at the individual and national levels. Our diplomatic ties have advanced due to closer people-to-people connections, and enhanced collaboration in numerous areas. Our cooperation in the sectors of infrastructure, trade, health, agriculture, and education, have borne tangible mutual benefits. Our joint efforts have made Guyana’s transport systems better, our healthcare facilities better, our educational opportunities better, and our cultural exchange better. We have recently signed agreements to promote green development. This demonstrates our mutual commitment to making the world more sustainable and to building economies that are resilient to climate change, while partnering to contribute to the battle at combatting climate change. China has been a reliable partner through our times of need, whether it was tackling health challenges or disaster response and for this, Guyana remains deeply grateful. “

Phillips said as the partnership between the two countries continues to evolve and grow, Guyana will continue to engage in investment opportunities from China. “As we continue to engage in areas of mutual interest, Guyana reiterates its unwavering support for the One China Policy.  At the same time, China’s respect for the rule of international law supports sovereignty and territorial integrity of nation states within the international system. In a time when democracy and respect for the rule of law faces increasing challenges, it is essential that we stand together to safeguard these fundamental principles and foster mutual respect on the global stage.”

 

 

 

 

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• ‘World New Year, Bilateral Relations on ‘Fast Track’, Chinese Embassy, Government, The Ambassador, Yang Yang

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