Celebrating 100th anniversary of CPC | China-backed East Coast Demerara Road in Guyana: Pragmatic cooperation for development

Georgetown, the capital of Guyana, covers less than one thousandth of the country's area, yet is home to one third of its population. For a long time, it has been a common aspiration of the Guyanese people to see the traffic congestion eased between the eastern coast and the capital.

However, the Guyanese government's plan to upgrade the road failed to materialize for various reasons.

Supported by preferential loan funds provided by the Chinese government, the renovation of the East Coast Demerara Road was completed in 2020 with joint efforts of the two countries. The long-standing dream of the Guyanese people came true.

"This is the best road in Guyana now," said Guyanese dignitaries who attended the inaugural ceremony. "It used to take an hour on average to travel, but now it only takes 20 minutes. The traffic efficiency has tripled."

The East Coast Demolara Road after completion

Upon operation, the life of residents along the road has become easier and the regional economic development was boosted too. 

"We had to make a detour to go shopping before, which was very troublesome, but now it takes just 10 minutes to buy everything I want," said Rex, a nearby resident. "The mood of travelling is different."

"Thanks to the Chinese government, I was able to live a happy life with my family," said Michael, who worked as a driver for the road project for over three years. Since then, big changes have taken place in his life. He renovated his wooden house into a brick-concrete one and bought a second-hand car for his family. 

The East Coast Demolara Road is the fruit of the friendship, wisdom and sweat of the peoples of China and Guyana, and also an accomplishment of pragmatic cooperation between the two countries.

Local workers are trained to use engineering instruments in the project

The year of 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Guyana. With the joint concern and leadership of the two heads of state, and with the joint efforts of the two countries' governments and people, the China-Guyana relations will definitely secure new development. The fruits of mutually beneficial cooperation will surely bring more benefits.