Prime Minister the Hon. W. Baldwin Spencer and Chinese Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda His Excellency Mr. Liu Hanming on Thursday signed the Handover Certificates signifying the turning over of a multi-million dollar community centre to the people of Barbuda. The 3.1 Million EC dollar facility built by the Chinese and donated to Barbuda features a library, office facilities, a gym, Information Technology Centre, a meeting hall and classroom spaces.

Prime Minister the Hon. Baldwin Spencer Speech:
Today, I am especially pleased to be here with my Barbudan family as we enter another chapter in our special relationship – a relationship whereby the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, the Barbuda Council and one of our most important international partners are able to collaborate in the interest of the development of Barbuda and its people.

I am certain that today is also a special day for you as Barbudans as it is for my administration.

The completion of work on this modern and well-equipped Community Centre here in Codrington signifies that my administration is not simply talking about the oneness of Barbuda and Antigua but is demonstrating that we are serious about the development of both Barbuda and Antigua.

I wish to commend Member for Barbuda the Hon. Trevor Walker for continuously championing the cause of the people of Barbuda.  He is relentless in his passion for the people and development of Barbuda whenever issues relating to the island come up in Cabinet.  His support of this project and for the relations between our two countries and the People’s Republic of China is unwavering.

I must also thank Ambassador David Shoul for his hard work and dedication towards this project.  Ambassador Shoul, worked tirelessly with former Chinese Ambassador Chen Ligang and current Ambassador Liu Hanming to ensure that this project stays on course.

Ambassador Shoul is a true patriot of Antigua and Barbuda.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

On January 1, 1983, Antigua and Barbuda established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, becoming the first country within the OECS to do so.

In that same year, the then leader Deng Xiaoping accelerated the policy of reform and opening-up of the economy of China, which has led to China gaining sustained and rapid economic growth over the past three decades.

China views its opening up and attracting of foreign investments as mutually beneficial to its partners including Antigua and Barbuda.

For China, continuous foreign investment has provided funding, technologies, managerial expertise and a great number of international professionals necessary for its modernization drive.

Over the years, we have seen China’s opening-up policy and its subsequent economic growth significantly impacting positively on economic and social development of Antigua and Barbuda and developing countries around the world.

The People’s Republic of China, since establishing diplomatic relations with Antigua and Barbuda, and more so over the past seven years, has worked with the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda on a number of projects that have aided in lessening the effects of the current global economic and financial crisis and have contributed to the nation’s overall development.

The street lighting programme, and the provision of concessionary loans and grants for the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, the soon to be constructed airport terminal, and a secondary school in the Five Islands community, the provision of scholarships to young Antiguans and Barbudans, this magnificent Community Centre and the 30 mega-watt power plant project in Antigua are just a few of the projects that highlight the relations between the People’s Republic of China and Antigua and Barbuda.  

This is a demonstration of true friendship.

We value this relationship that we have worked tirelessly to strengthen over the past seven years.

However Ladies and Gentlemen – the relationship between Antigua and Barbuda and the People’s Republic of China is under attack.

Under attack from a group of individuals within the Opposition Antigua Labour Party and their financiers.

I am sure you are familiar with the recent attacks as they relate to the 30-megawatt power plant at Crabbes.  With the operation of the said power plant, APUA stands to save approximately 2.7 million dollars per month.

I wish to say from the on-set that the 30-megawatt power plant is fully functional providing reliable power to the people of Antigua and Barbuda.  

With the addition of the new Chinese power plant and upon the completion of the Tariff Review of APUA rates, during the first half of 2012,  particularly as they relate to electricity, Antiguans and Barbudans should be experiencing a reduction in utility rates for commercial and residential consumers.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I can guarantee you that the government’s agenda will not be derailed by our detractors, particularly those within the Antigua Labour Party who are vigorously doing the bidding of others at the expense of the people of Antigua and Barbuda.

The attacks on the relationship between Antigua and Barbuda and the People’s Republic of China in some quarters of the opposition and the media are unpatriotic and dangerous and are designed to deflect government’s progress in investigating the IHI criminal matter, which coincidentally relates to the funding and rape of funds associated with the now inoperable Tango power generation plant; and to derail the progress of the relationship
between the United Progressive Party Administration and the People’s Republic of China.

There is no doubt that in the short life of the UPP administration, we have accomplished much more through our relations with the People’s Republic of China than any Antigua Labour Party administration has done. This is what they are afraid of and they are prepared to sacrifice the development of Antigua and Barbuda and the progress of our people for their own personal financial  and political gain. 

The relationship between Antigua and Barbuda and the People’s Republic of China is at its best – the way the founding father Sir V.C. Bird Sr. intended it to be.

Our bilateral and multilateral cooperation are at advance stages and it is my government’s determination to establish even stronger bilateral ties on the basis of mutually beneficial cooperation.

I wish to assure you the people of Barbuda and Antigua that the relationship  between the United Progressive Party administration and the People’s Republic of China is here to stay and there are many more projects to come – all in the interest of you the people of Barbuda and Antigua.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This project is another promise fulfilled by my administration since coming to office.

We pledged to work with the Barbuda Council and the Barbuda people to improve every aspect of life for the people of our sister island and we are doing just that.

My government’s track record with Barbuda is incomparable to that of any other in the history of Antigua and Barbuda.

The Barbuda Water treatment plant, paved roads for the first time in Barbuda’s history, improved electricity supply, an artisanal fisheries complex, the Barbuda Land Act, and social benefits to the youth and elderly, are a few of our accomplishments.

It has also resulted in the Member for Barbuda being a member of the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda and a full minister in the UPP Administration – another historical development in the history of our relationship - and academic scholarships for the young people of Barbuda.

I could go on further as the list is long and varied, however, I know that you too are anxious to open and tour this brand new gift from the People’s Republic of China.

I further wish to state here today, that for this coming academic year, the Prime Minister Scholarship Committee has allocated five of the Chinese government scholarships specifically for Barbuda.

Today is an historic moment for my government, as it is the first time that the Government of the People’s Republic of China has actually contributed directly towards the development of Barbuda. 

The Community Centre will act as a vital tool to the administration of the affairs of Barbuda, the education of the student population of Barbuda and providing an avenue for both the adult and youth population to participate in wholesome activities.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The Barbuda Council has been charged with running the affairs of Barbuda.  

As a government we have maintained a safe distance.  However, the current global economic crisis has reinforced the need for us to function more cohesively.  

It is therefore central government’s intentions to utilize the Consultative Committee to ensure that we address the challenges that confront us together.  

In a matter of weeks, I will be convening a joint Cabinet Meeting between the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda and the Barbuda Council specifically to look at the development of Barbuda, the challenges and chart a way forward for future collaboration.

The future of Barbuda demands that we do this.  Our children also demand this.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is by no small chance that after 25 years of Antigua and Barbuda’s relationship with the People’s Republic of China, that Barbuda is the beneficiary of such a significant development.

It has come from the commitment of the United Progressive Party Administration to ensure that Barbuda is provided with the necessary tools and resources that will enable its people to grow and prosper.

I am deeply pleased that as a developing nation, that the People’s Republic of China is able to partner with my administration and demonstrate an unwavering commitment to help improve the capacity of the people of Barbuda.

My Government sincerely extends our appreciation to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for this demonstration of cooperation.  Special commendation to Ambassador Hanming for keeping focus and ensuring that this project is a reality.

I wish for you Ambassador Hanming to extend my government’s sincere appreciation to President Hu and his government for the ongoing generosity and support to the people of Barbuda and Antigua.

I wish to say to the people of Barbuda, that the United Progressive Party Administration will remain committed to the development of Barbuda and will continue to work with your representative the Hon. Trevor Walker in ensuring that Barbuda receives its fair share of development in the twin island state.

This edifice is proof of the excellent relations between Barbuda and Antigua and Antigua and Barbuda and the People’s Republic of China.  

I urge all Barbudans to take care for it, keep it in good condition at all times and above all, put it to good and productive use.

I pray God’s blessings on the relationship between Barbuda and Antigua.

I pray for God’s blessings on the relationship between Antigua and Barbuda and the People’s Republic of China.

It therefore gives me distinct pleasure, satisfaction and indeed great honour to declare the Barbuda Community Centre officially open.