![Major General, Kong Li from the People’s Liberation Army of China and Chief of Staff, Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier, Mark Phillips signing the aid agreement at the opening ceremony of the Guyana-China Bilateral Conference. [GINA Photo]](https://i0.wp.com/www.inewsguyana.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/GDF-signing.jpg)
In his remarks at the ceremony held at the Guyana International Conference Center (GICC), Liliendaal, Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips said that since the 1970s China and the PLA have been providing military assistance to the GDF.
“We remain heartened and greatly appreciative to you for the continued military assistance as we work collectively towards the strengthening of our mutual relationships between our two nations and our military forces,” The Chief of Staff said.
To date, many of GDF officers have benefitted tactical, operational and strategic levels of training in China. In fact, almost all of the present senior leadership would have attended military training courses and or seminars in that country.
The Chinese military delegation was headed by Major General Kong Li. Guyana delegation consisted of Deputy Chief of Staff, Col. Khemraj Persaud, Inspector General, Col. George Lewis, Lt. Col. Patrick West, Commander Gary Beaton from the Guyana Coast Guard, Major Courtney Bourne, and Commanding Officer, Guyana Air Corps, Major Delbert George.
The Governments of the People’s Republic of China and Guyana share a dynamic relationship that encompasses active cooperation in a wide spectrum for over 40 years.
![Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Zhang Limin (fifth from left), Major General, Kong Li from the People’s Liberation Army of China, Chief of Staff, Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier, Mark Phillips and other delegates representing the two countries at the Guyana-China Bilateral Conference. [GINA Photo]](https://i0.wp.com/www.inewsguyana.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Chinese-GDF.jpg)
[Extracted and modified from GINA]
Once again China is reaching out and working with us, even though we have a few negative views on the logging industry I am confident that things will work out to benefit both parties. So let us support transparency in all areas and build Guyana.