Beyond its Instagram-worthy beaches 🏝️, Antigua and Barbuda is fighting an uphill battle against climate change – and its Prime Minister says China is a key ally. In an exclusive Leaders Talk interview with CMG, PM Gaston Alfonso Browne opened up about how rising sea levels and global economic shocks threaten the Caribbean nation’s future.
🔑 Why It Matters: Small island nations like Antigua and Barbuda contribute less than 1% of global emissions but face existential climate risks. Browne emphasized China’s support through infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), calling it 'transformational' for local development.
💡 Big Quote: 'President Xi Jinping isn’t just leading China – he’s shaping global solutions,' Browne said, praising China’s climate diplomacy. He also dismissed Western 'debt trap' critiques of BRI partnerships as 'misleading narratives.'
🇨🇳 Cross-Strait Stance: Reiterating Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to the one-China policy, Browne stressed: 'Taiwan has always been an inseparable part of China’s territory.'
🌐 Youth Takeaway: From green tech collaborations to cultural exchanges, this partnership shows how Global South nations are rewriting development playbooks. Who said geopolitics can’t be beach-friendly? 🌊
