Caribbean 101

Officials and scholars from China, Latin America and the Caribbean are calling for developing countries to have greater access to artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, warning that the digital divide could deepen existing inequalities. The issue featured prominently at the third China-Latin American and Caribbean States Roundtable on Human Rights in Lima, Peru, which brought together nearly 200 participants under the theme “Multilateralism and Human Rights.

Trade between Guyana and China more than doubled in 2025, reaching US$2.89 billion as economic ties between the two countries continued to expand. Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Yang Yang disclosed the figure during celebrations marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Ambassador Yang said investment by Chinese companies in Guyana has also grown, with total investment now standing at approximately US$13 billion. She pointed to several majo

China is signalling plans to deepen technology cooperation with the Caribbean, offering training, equipment and knowledge-sharing as countries across the region seek to build capacity in artificial intelligence and other emerging industries. Chinese Consul-General Zhang Kaibin outlined the areas for cooperation during a reception in Curaçao marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Zhang said developing countries, including those in the C

Fifteen officers from the Royal Grenada Police Force are in China undergoing specialised traffic management training, as security cooperation between Grenada and Beijing expands. The officers are participating in a two-week Traffic Management Course at the Hainan Province Police College, fully funded by China’s Ministry of Public Security. The programme has been tailored to Grenada’s policing needs and is expected to strengthen officers’ skills in traffic management and expos

China’s Global Development Initiative (GDI) is marking its fifth anniversary, with Beijing pointing to billions of dollars mobilised and more than 1,800 projects implemented as evidence of the initiative’s growing impact across the developing world. The GDI was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2021 during the General Debate of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. It was presented as a framework to place development at the centre of the internati

Zheng Bingkai, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Barbados, met with Daniel M. Best, President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) on September 2. The two sides held in-depth discussions on deepening multilateral financial cooperation. Ambassador Zheng noted that the fundamental principles upheld by the CDB, such as sustainable development, are highly aligned with those of China. He stated that China stands ready to broaden cooperation with the CDB with the a

Grenada's Chinese Ambassador Yang Shu met with the new President of the Grenada Table Tennis Association Anthony Benjamin on 3 September 2026 to exchange views on deepening bilateral cooperation in table tennis. Joining the conversation was Amanda John, Secretary‑General, and other administrative representatives. Ambassador Yang noted that table tennis is China’s national sport, boasting widespread public participation and high‑level professional standards. China and Grenada

The Chinese Embassy in Georgetown has pushed back against criticism from Juan Pablo Segura, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, over projects undertaken by Chinese companies in Guyana. Segura recently cited the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion while criticising the performance of Chinese state-owned companies across Latin America and the Caribbean. He said the Guyana airport project experienced more than a decade of delays and cost ov

New opportunities for young people in Trinidad and Tobago could emerge from proposed cooperation between YTEPP Limited and China in technical training, employment and entrepreneurship. The prospects were discussed during an August 20 meeting between Chinese Ambassador Ren Hongyan and a YTEPP delegation headed by Chairman Dr. Maurice Jones. Talks examined how China’s experience in technology, technical education and innovation could complement YTEPP’s efforts to prepare young

China continues to hold significant economic influence across Latin America, with its investments and trade relationships spanning infrastructure, energy, mining and technology despite growing geopolitical competition with the United States. Trade between China and Latin America has expanded dramatically over the past two decades, rising from just over US$14 billion in 2000 to more than US$500 billion in 2024. China has also overtaken the United States as South America’s larg

China and The Bahamas are looking to deepen cooperation in healthcare, with discussions focusing on the planned new hospital in New Providence and broader public health initiatives. Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas Yan Jiarong met with Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Michael Darville on August 11, along with newly appointed Minister of State Owen Wells and Permanent Secretary Brenda Colebrooke. The talks covered China-Bahamas relations and opportunities to strengthen col

A four-member delegation from Antigua and Barbuda is undergoing agricultural training in China aimed at improving the country’s approach to irrigation, water conservation and technology-driven farming. The programme gives participants practical exposure to techniques that could help farmers produce more while making better use of scarce water resources. Areas of study include precision irrigation, soil assessment, water monitoring and smart agricultural systems. The delegatio

Guyana and China have expanded their cooperation in public health with the opening of a new Health Promotion Centre at the Ministry of Health in Georgetown. The facility, established through the 21st Chinese Medical Team to Guyana, was officially inaugurated on August 15 and will provide health screening, testing, education and fitness services to public servants and residents in surrounding communities. The initiative was led by public health specialist Dr. Zhu Qianrang, who

Zheng Bingkai, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Barbados met with the Gregory Nicolls, Minister of Home Affairs and Information of Barbados on August 18, 2026. Ambassador Zheng and Minister Nicolls exchanged views on China-Barbados relations, particularly on law enforcement cooperation and the security of Chinese institutions and personnel in Barbados. The two sides agreed to maintain close communication, deepen security cooperation, safeguard the safety and le

The Chinese Embassy in Grenada in collaboration with the Grenada Overseas Chinese Association, Chinese enterprises, and teachers and students from the TAMCC Confucius Institute, formed a "Dragon and Lion Dance Team" to make a dazzling appearance at the Carnival parade, bringing a visual feast infused with Eastern charm to the audience, on August 11, 2026, . The Chinese parade team made a splendid debut in the main urban area of St. George's, the capital of Grenada, interactin

China has donated an additional 5,000 photovoltaic (solar) power systems to Cuba, strengthening cooperation between the two countries and expanding access to reliable electricity in underserved communities. The systems will be distributed across all 169 municipalities and are intended to provide electricity to isolated rural homes, while also ensuring uninterrupted power for essential facilities such as health centres, emergency medical services, childcare institutions, orpha

China is investing approximately US$66 million in major development projects aimed at strengthening Barbados' climate resilience, water security and food production. The initiatives were highlighted during a recent media symposium and reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Barbados under the theme "A Friend in Need and a Partner in Deed," where regional journalists were updated on China's ongoing development cooperation in the Caribbean nation. One of the flagship initiat

The Chinese Embassy in Antigua and Barbuda commemorated the International Day of Dialogue Among Civilizations with a cultural event highlighting the growing relationship between the two countries and the benefits of people-to-people exchanges. The celebration brought together former scholarship recipients, professionals, and other individuals who have studied or trained in China. Many shared their experiences of living in the country and spoke about the educational and profes

Dear Editor, The recent column on the expansion of Chinese-owned supermarkets (Guyana Chronicle August 3, 2026) has sparked an important conversation about foreign investment and competition in Guyana. However, while scrutiny of any sector is healthy, the discussion must be grounded in facts rather than speculation. For thousands of Guyanese families, these supermarkets have brought undeniable benefits. They have improved access to affordable groceries and household essential

China's Blue Silk Road Initiative could create new opportunities for the Caribbean in areas such as maritime development, tourism, trade and climate resilience, according to speakers at a regional forum in Trinidad and Tobago. The topic was explored during the "China-Caribbean Cooperation Amid a Changing World" conference hosted at the Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business. Dr. Char Yu, Director of the Institute of Latin America Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sc