Ambassador Brian Stuart- Young is leaving the post as the Non-resident Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the People’s Republic of China. He has served in the post for the past eleven years.
The announcement was made by Prime Minister Gaston Browne on Monday night at a farewell reception in honour of departing Chinese Ambassador, Zhang Yanling, held at Weatherill’s Restaurant.
Speaking with Point Express newspaper, Ambassador Stuart-Young described his tenure as ‘a privilege to serve the people of Antigua and Barbuda’ as an adopted son.
“When I presented my credentials to President Xi, it was part of a reconnection for me as I was part of the original delegation that accompanied then Prime Minister V.C Bird when he made his inaugural trip to China back in 1983. I have watched and have been part of events in the early days with Prime Minister Bird and when the Gaston Browne Administration came in in 2014, the prime minister invited me to serve as non-resident ambassador. I have worked with four Chinese ambassadors over this period,” he revealed.
According to Stuart-Young, he has been part of all the major negotiations between Antigua and Barbuda and China over the past eleven years from the modernization of the seaport, the community centres, the Booby Alley Housing project and many other developments.
“I think my proudest moment was when the prime minister came to China in January, 2024, as I was pleased to open an embassy in Beijing for Antigua and Barbuda,” he stated.
The diplomat said his other responsibilities kept him from being resident in China, however, he revealed that the embassy is still operational providing counselor and other support for Antigua and Barbuda students studying in China and the army personnel undergoing training there.
He said he holds daily engagements with the staff of the embassy there and therefore, he is kept abreast of developments.
“I always consider that the work that I have done is part of my ‘give-back’ to Antigua and Barbuda because I am an adopted son and for me it was a proud moment to be able to serve,” he disclosed.
A replacement for Ambassador Stuart-Young will be name shortly.
