Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling,
The Right Honorable Perry Christie,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening!
May I start by thanking all of you for joining us at the reception. First of all, I wish, on behalf of Chinese Embassy in The Bahamas, to express a warm welcome to all the friends present tonight.
The Bahamas is an important country in the Caribbean and has made a series of achievements over the economic and social development in recent years, playing an important role in international and regional affairs. I feel deeply honored to be accredited as new Chinese Ambassador to this beautiful country. Over the past month since taking office, I have been deeply impressed by the charming nature, hospitable people as well as the colorful culture of Junknoo.
Despite the geographical distance and the cultural difference between China and The Bahamas, the bilateral friendly cooperative relations have been developing steadily since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1997. Particularly in recent years, leaders of the two countries have met many times to constantly deepen the mutual understanding and trust. Bilateral trade volume, meanwhile, has kept rising. Exchanges and cooperation in culture, sport, medication, health care and other fields has thrived and flourished. In the year of 2015, the Right Honorable Perry Christie held cordial and friendly talks with President Xi Jinping while attending the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing as the Chairman on duty of the Caribbean Community. Furthermore, the Visa-Waiver Agreement between China and The Bahamas came into effect in 2014 and the civil aviation authorities of the two countries initialed the Air Service Agreement in 2015. All of these cooperation injected a strong momentum for the development of bilateral relations and brought tangible benefits to the two peoples.
I am deeply aware that these achievements can not be possible without the support of the two governments and the peoples as well as the overseas Chinese and friends from all walks of life. For a long time, the overseas Chinese in the Bahamas always keep up the fine tradition of hard struggle and solidarity, committed to developing Chinese national culture and being concerned about development of motherland. As the belt and bridge between China and The Bahamas, they play an important role in advancing the bilateral relations.I wish to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude and highest respect to all the friends including the overseas Chinese and personnel from Chinese enterprises.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Given the global economic downturn, Chinese economy has still achieved 6.9% growth, contributing over 30% to global economic growth. The 13th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development, introduced by Chinese government this March, outlines a blueprint for China to further deepen the comprehensive reform. The next five years are the decisive stage in finishing building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. China will follow the philosophy of innovative development, coordinated development, green development, open development and shared development to maintain the sound and steady economic and social development. The Chinese government will unswervingly adhere to the path of peaceful development and exercise opening strategies of mutual benefits and win-win outcome. Moreover, China is willing to actively develop friendly cooperation with other countries and its development will bring about tremendous opportunities for the entire world including The Bahamas.
As the 8th Chinese Ambassador to the Bahamas, I am keenly aware of my responsibilities. I will do my utmost to fulfill my duties and look forward to working with Bahamian government and friends from various circles to promote China-Bahamas friendly cooperative relations to a new level for the benefit of both peoples.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Now, may I propose a toast,
To the continuous development of bilateral relations,
To the everlasting friendship between our two peoples,
To the health of all our guests present,
Cheers!