Recently, a handover ceremony for a project of 150 low-cost housing units, aided by China, was held in St. John's, the capital of Antigua and Barbuda, marking another significant achievement in practical cooperation between China and Antigua and Barbuda.

The project, consisting of 150 two-bedroom housing units, replaces overcrowded and deteriorating homes with modern condominiums, improving living conditions for low-income residents in Antigua and Barbuda.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda Jiang Wei said the project serves as a new achievement of China-Antigua and Barbuda cooperation, built on equality, practical partnership, and a shared commitment to improving people's lives.

China stands ready to strengthen strategic alignment with Antigua and Barbuda, actively carry out cooperation projects that benefit people's livelihoods and foster closer ties between the two peoples, as well as pursue shared development and revitalization, aiming to write a new chapter in building a China-Latin America community with a shared future.

Expressing sincere gratitude for the long-standing and selfless assistance provided by the Chinese government, as well as for the high-quality work delivered by the Chinese construction team, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne hailed the project as the most transformative major livelihood initiative in the history of Antigua and Barbuda.

The Antigua and Barbuda side remains firmly committed to developing friendly relations with China and looks forward to deepening strategic alignment, exchanges and cooperation across various fields in the future, Browne said.

Empowering inclusive growth across LAC states

As Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries pursue sustainable economic recovery and social progress amid global uncertainties, China's development cooperation has emerged as a steady and pragmatic driving force for regional growth.

Based on full respect for the will of LAC countries, and in light of China's financial capacity and economic and social development, China has pledged to continue providing development assistance to LAC countries with no political strings attached and, in accordance with the needs of these countries, gradually expand the scale of assistance within its capacity and innovate its assistance model, with a focus on human resources development, development planning, economic policy consulting and training, infrastructure construction, agriculture and food security, poverty reduction, climate change and humanitarian assistance.

To fuel regional development, China has launched a package of supportive financial and talent programs. It offers a 66-billion-yuan ($9.16 billion) credit line to support LAC countries' development. For inclusive and grassroots growth, China plans to implement 300 "small and beautiful" livelihood projects across the region. 

In infrastructure connectivity, flagship projects have reshaped regional logistics and energy landscapes. Peru's Chancay Port, a landmark Belt and Road initiative project, shortens shipping routes between South America and Asia, cuts local logistics costs by over 20% and generates thousands of local jobs, becoming a new Pacific gateway for regional exports.

Built by Chinese enterprises, Ecuador's Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric station, one of the country's largest energy projects, supplies nearly 30% of Ecuador's electricity, stabilizing the national power supply and supporting industrial and residential consumption.

A series of people-centered projects have filled local development gaps. For example, duck breeding cooperation between China and Guyana has enriched local agricultural industries and reduced import reliance. Sports venues, rural water supply systems and community clinics built with Chinese assistance have benefited residents in multiple LAC countries.