WELCOMING REMARKS TO BE MADE BY H.E. PRESIDENT BHARRAT JAGDEO ON THE OCCASION OF THE VISIT OF H.E. MADAME GU XIULIAN, VICE-CHAIRPERSON OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

JULY 10, 2007

H.E. Madame Gu Xiulian and Members of your delegation
Honorable Prime Minister
Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary
Speaker of the National Assembly
Honourable Ministers of Government
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Leader of the Opposition
Members of parliament
Members of the Chinese Community
Members of the Business Community
Ladies and Gentlemen

Your Excellency,
I am pleased to welcome you and your delegation to Guyana.
Your visit comes in the wake of several high-level exchanges between Guyana and the People’s Republic of China and demonstrates further the great friendship and solidarity which exist between our two countries and peoples as well as our joint commitment to the pursuit of the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter including the preservation of our sovereignty and territorial integrity.

I recall the historic visit of Mme Wu Yi, now Vice-Premier, who came in 2001, for high-level discussions on how our relations which were established some thirty-five years ago, might be strengthened for our mutual benefit. This landmark visit was followed by that of the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Li Zhaoxing who was here in fulfillment of our agreement to hold regular political consultations on matters of interest and concern to our states.

In response to an invitation extended to me by your distinguished Government, I had the opportunity to travel to China in March 2003. It was a most pleasant and memorable experience for me. Although I have always tried to keep abreast of China’s continuous development over the past decade, I did not quite expect the wondrous achievements which I saw for myself. In Beijing, Shanghai and the other places to which I was taken, there was impressive evidence of the economic and social progress that had been made in a relatively short period of time.
Today, China is recognized as the world’s fifth largest economy and as a major actor in international affairs. Notwithstanding its own successes, China has always associated itself with developing countries and continues to be an ardent proponent of South-South Cooperation. Indeed, the relations between Guyana and the People’s Republic of China can be considered a model of the type of cooperation which ought to exist among like-minded countries which have the same development aspirations for their peoples.

It is in this context, Mme Gu that your own visit to Guyana assumes considerable importance. Representing as you do the people of China, to whom you have devoted a great part of your life, you can do much to extend the friendship and cooperation which now exist between our Governments to include our peoples who are, after all the reason for our own existence.

It is clear that you have served the people of China well, first as Vice Minister of the State Planning Commission and later as Governor of Jiangsu Province, President of the All-China Women’s Federation and Vice­ Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. Without any doubt, like Madame Wu Yi, you are a shining example of Chinese womanhood and a powerful advocate for those you represent.

Your dialogue with the Hon. Speaker and members of our Parliament will thus not only complement the work of our Governments but also establish the basis for future collaboration between our two peoples. Earlier this afternoon we signed two important Agreements - one on debt cancellation and the other a Memorandum of Understanding on Group Travel to Guyana by Chinese nationals which will lead, once implemented, to greater familiarity between our two nations.

As you know, Guyana is home to many of China’s diaspora and as such, given our historical links will be an attractive destination for visitors from their ancestral land. In addition to our regular cultural exchanges, these encounters between our peoples will draw our countries ever closer together.

May I therefore extend a very warm welcome to you and your delegation and wish you a very happy stay among us.
I thank you.