Prime Minister Gaston Browne has described China as Antigua and Barbuda’s most important development partner, saying no other country has contributed more to the nation’s development over the past three decades.

Speaking Thursday at the handover of the Chinese-funded Pelican Court housing development, Browne pledged to defend the relationship, even if maintaining those ties brought consequences from other countries.

“China is the most significant development partner to Antigua and Barbuda. 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.

The prime minister credited Chinese assistance with helping expand the country’s economic and social infrastructure, arguing that vulnerable residents would have been among those most affected without that support.

“So let us continue to march on with China as our most important development partner. And whoever wants to punish us for that relationship, feel free to do it,” Browne said.

He did not identify a specific threatened penalty during those remarks.

The comments came as China formally transferred the 150-unit Pelican Court development to the government of Antigua and Barbuda. Built through an approximately EC$50 million Chinese grant, the project replaces the former Booby Alley settlement in St. John’s City West.

Browne described the development as China’s most socially significant contribution to Antigua and Barbuda to date, pointing to its intended impact on families who previously lived in deteriorating housing.

He said the relationship demonstrated how a small state and a major economic power could cooperate despite their differences in population, resources and geographical location.

Browne also contrasted his access to the Chinese and U.S. presidents.

“I can’t even get a call to President Trump, but I can get a meeting with President Xi,” he said. “That shows you the degree of respect that China has extended to Antigua and Barbuda and other small states.”

In a subsequent interview with ABS, Browne estimated that China had contributed more than $1 billion to Antigua and Barbuda’s socioeconomic development through grants and concessional loans. He did not specify the currency in that interview.

He said preserving the partnership was in Antigua and Barbuda’s national interest and argued that efforts to weaken it would undermine the country’s development.

“For any nation to try and undermine that relationship, they’ll be literally undermining our development,” Browne said. “And we have to defend our development, notwithstanding any punitive action that may be taken against us.”

The Chinese ambassador, speaking separately through an interpreter, said the bilateral relationship had developed steadily over more than 40 years and was founded on equality and mutual respect.

She said gratitude between the countries was mutual and stressed respect for each other’s sovereignty and independence. She also said China attached no conditions to its cooperation with Antigua and Barbuda.

In her ceremony address, the ambassador cited Chinese support for infrastructure, agricultural cooperation and skills development, including more than 300 training and professional development opportunities annually.

She said China’s cooperation extended beyond constructing facilities to helping Antigua and Barbuda strengthen its capacity for development through knowledge sharing and training.

Housing is set to remain a significant part of that partnership.

Browne said another 100 Chinese-supported homes — 50 in Bolans and 50 in Barbuda — were expected to begin construction within 60 to 90 days. The ambassador confirmed that preparations for the second phase of housing cooperation were underway.

The prime minister has also requested Chinese assistance for an additional 300 condominium units at Perry Bay, intended to improve housing conditions for residents of Rural West.

While Browne expressed confidence that China would support that request, he acknowledged that formal approval had not been received. The ambassador said she would report the proposal to the relevant authorities in Beijing.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: China is Antigua and Barbuda’s most important development partner, Browne says.