PM of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne begins China trip
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, begins a visit to China today.
Browne previously visited China in 2014 and plans to visit Beijing, Shanghai and Zhejiang on this trip.
Following Browne’s previous visit, China announced a $32.5 million package for development projects throughout Caribbean country, as well as an additional $3 million aid package for climate change mitigation.
Antigua and Barbuda established relations with China in 1983, two years after its independence, and continues to be one of China’s largest partners in the Caribbean region. China supported the island nation’s early bid to become a UN-recognized country, and Antigua and Barbuda was one of 53 countries to support China’s controversial Hong Kong National Security Law in the UN. Browne is also a supporter of the One China Policy.
In the short term, this visit will generate new announcements of aid from China to be directed towards projects of mutual interest in Antigua and Barbuda. The trip is also symbolic of Antigua and Barbuda’s continued path toward closer relations with China, especially as Browne works towards cutting ties with the British Monarchy to establish a republic in the coming year. This trip will reaffirm the island nation as one of China’s strongest allies and political supporters in the Western hemisphere.
