Browne calls China Antigua and Barbuda's most important development partner
The prime minister spoke at the handover of Pelican Court, a EC$50 million housing project of 150 homes funded by a Chinese grant.
ST JOHN'S, Antigua. Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne has reaffirmed his government's commitment to strong ties with China, describing Beijing as the country's leading development partner.
Speaking at the handover ceremony for the Chinese-funded Pelican Court housing project, Browne urged the nation to stand firmly behind the relationship in international forums and to keep deepening cooperation with China despite growing geopolitical pressures.
"There is no other country that has contributed more to our development than the People's Republic of China during the last three decades," he said.
He credited three decades of Chinese assistance with helping Antigua and Barbuda strengthen its infrastructure, advance economic and social development and improve citizens' quality of life.
Browne said the country should remain committed to the partnership and recognise Beijing's contributions, even if defending the relationship comes at a cost.
"So let us continue to march on with China as our most important development partner," he said.
Pelican Court
Pelican Court is a EC$50 million (about US$18.5 million) housing project funded by a Chinese grant. The development has 150 two-bedroom homes and forms part of the wider Booby Alley redevelopment initiative in the Point community.
Browne hailed the project as China's most significant social development contribution to Antigua and Barbuda so far, and highlighted its potential to improve living conditions for vulnerable residents.
