The Chinese Embassy in Guyana has launched a forceful defence of China’s role in Guyana’s development, accusing a U.S. State Department official of using social media to “smear and attack” projects undertaken by Chinese companies in the country.
In a statement titled “Remarks by the Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Guyana on False Claims by a Certain U.S. State Department Official Concerning China,” the Embassy said the official’s remarks ignored facts and amounted to political interference in normal economic and trade cooperation between Guyana and China.
The Embassy did not identify the U.S. official by name.
“We have noted that a certain U.S. State Department official recently used his personal social media account to smear and attack projects undertaken by Chinese companies in Guyana. Such remarks disregard the facts and constitute political manipulation and malicious smears against normal China-Guyana economic and trade cooperation. The Chinese Embassy in Guyana firmly opposes them.”
The diplomatic clash comes as Guyana deepens its economic and infrastructure partnerships with both China and the United States amid the country’s rapid economic transformation following the emergence of its oil industry.
China has maintained a longstanding development relationship with Guyana, with Chinese companies participating in major infrastructure and construction projects. The Embassy pointed to several initiatives as evidence of China’s contribution to Guyana’s modernization.
“Chinese companies have been part of Guyana’s development for many years, investing in the country and contributing to its modernization. From the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge and the China-Guyana Friendship Joe Vieira Park to the Six Regional Hospitals, Those projects have helped improve infrastructure, create jobs and support economic and social development, earning broad recognition across Guyanese society.”
The Embassy’s defence comes amid heightened competition between Washington and Beijing for economic, political and strategic influence across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Guyana has sought to maintain relationships with a range of international partners while pursuing major infrastructure, energy and development initiatives. Its growing oil wealth has also increased the country’s strategic importance, attracting greater attention from major global powers.
Against that backdrop, the Chinese Embassy rejected any suggestion that Guyana should be told which countries it can work with.
In a pointed message apparently directed at Washington, the Embassy stated:
“A true friend is not someone who stands at a distance and tells you who you should or should not work with. A true friend is someone who stands with you when you need support, brings opportunities when you are moving forward, and works with you, on the basis of mutual respect, to get things done.”
The Embassy then delivered an even sharper rebuke:
“A certain country might be better served by reflecting on itself rather than pointing fingers at others.”
It stressed that Guyana and other countries in the region have the right to determine their own economic and development partnerships.
“Guyana and other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have every right to choose their own partners and pursue the path of development that works best for them, free from outside interference. We oppose any attempt to politicize normal trade and economic cooperation or cast it in ideological terms.”
The statement underscores Beijing’s position that economic cooperation with Guyana should not be viewed through the lens of the broader strategic rivalry between China and the United States.
The Embassy also sought to reinforce its claim that China’s relationship with Guyana is based on practical development rather than political influence.
“Facts have shown, and will continue to show, that China is a trustworthy friend and partner of Guyana, and that Chinese companies are important participants in and contributors to Guyana’s development.”
The Embassy said China remains prepared to expand its involvement in Guyana.
“We stand ready to further deepen practical cooperation with Guyana across various fields and deliver more tangible and accessible benefits to our two countries and peoples.”
The latest statement adds another layer to the increasingly visible geopolitical contest over influence in Guyana, where the government continues to court international investment and partnerships while asserting its right to determine the country’s development priorities.
