PRC donates $1M equipment for SIDS4

The Fourth Conference of Small Island Developing States (SIDS)4 is just around the corner and the host country, Antigua and Barbuda, is making all necessary arrangements to ensure the conference is a success.

With the help of several friendly governments who have come forward to donate funds and equipment, the Antigua and Barbuda government is well on its way to providing a world-class facility for the conference.

One such friendly government is the People’s Republic of China, which has generously donated equipment worth over US$1 million specifically for the conference.

The equipment includes audio-visual equipment, teleprompters, LED lights, explosive detectors, and other vital equipment and devices.

A formal signing ceremony for the handover of the equipment took place at the Office of the Prime Minister, with Prime Minister Gaston Browne and PRC Ambassador Zhang Yanling in attendance. Ambassador Zhang reported that the equipment was provided based on the conference’s needs and necessary discussions.

The ambassador expressed her happiness at being able to present the equipment to the Antigua and Barbuda government and expressed her expectation that the conference would be a success.

She added that this gift is just the latest manifestation of the strong bonds of friendship between Antigua and Barbuda and China that have been ongoing for the past 41 years.

“China is always ready to help in times of need…At a time when international challenges are continually affecting people’s daily lives, we should work much more than ever to address them,” she said

Prime Minister Gaston Browne expressed his gratitude on behalf of the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda to the government and people of China for the timely donation.

He identified the equipment donated, which includes 7 walk-through metal detectors, 12 X-ray inspection systems, 10 hand-held metal detection devices, 2 hand-held multiband contraband detectors, 1 desk-top explosives and narcotics trace detector, 9 broadcast-grade video cameras, 3 video-camera monitors, 1 audio-video conferencing system, 2 teleprompters, 1 video switcher, 1 LED display, 1,100 flexi-glass transparent name shelves, 3 color laser jet printers and 10 desktop computers.

Browne said overall, this donation from the People’s Republic of China is a testament to the strong friendship between Antigua and Barbuda and China, and it will undoubtedly contribute to the success of the upcoming SIDS4 conference.

Meanwhile, Browne said the PRC continues to be among the first responders when Antigua and Barbuda need help, recalling that following Hurricane Irma, they made a sizeable contribution to the island

Browne also used the opportunity to reiterate Antigua and Barbuda’s support of the One China Policy.

He also expressed his concern over recent attempts to damage the close relationship between his country and China, as well as the generations-long ties with the United States.

Despite this, he remains committed to his government’s policy of being “friends of all…enemy of none”.

He urged both the US and China to work together for the benefit of humanity, noting that as the two largest economies in the world, they should seek cooperation and collaboration rather than engage in geopolitical conflict.

The Prime Minister also expressed his view that there may be elements within the opposition who are attempting to drive a wedge between Antigua and Barbuda and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on one hand, and the US on the other.

He reassured the people of Antigua and Barbuda that his administration has not and will not get involved in any geopolitical spat with any country, and that they will continue to respect the PRC’s contributions towards the development of Antigua and Barbuda.

Furthermore, PM Browne strongly denied suggestions that China is “loan-sharking” Antigua and Barbuda and attempting to colonize the country through its loans.

He stated that the PRC has shown benevolence not only in Antigua and Barbuda but across the globe, especially among the poorer states.

He added that the Chinese leader ought to be complimented for making funds available to help poorer nations attain their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).