(Goodman’s Bay, 3 May 2026)

Dear Mrs. Ann Marie Davis, wife of the Prime Minister;

Dr. Chin, President of the Bahamas Chinese Dragon Boat Association,

Distinguished guests and friends,

It is a great pleasure to gather once again for the 5th Bahamas International Dragon Boat Festival. I warmly congratulate you on the successful opening of this wonderful event, and extend my sincere respect to all who have long supported cultural exchanges between China and The Bahamas.  

Just last Sunday, my colleagues and I joined dragon boat practicing—many of you may have seen the video on Facebook. We truly enjoyed the thrill of water sports in The Bahamas, and felt deeply the spirit of “working together as one”that has been embedded in China’s 2,000-year-old dragon boat culture.  

We now understand even better why this ancient Chinese tradition has taken root so naturally in The Bahamas, why it has become so popular among Bahamians in just a few short years, and why it has attracted enthusiastic participants from the United States, Canada, Jamaica, and beyond.  

The Dragon Boat Festival reflects the diversity and inclusiveness of Bahamian culture, while also highlighting The Bahamas’ leading role in regional sports. I am confident that dragon boat culture will continue to thrive here, becoming another shining hallmark of Bahamian sports, tourism, and cultural festivals, and contributing to the country’s economy and sustainable development.  

Special thanks go to the Chinese community in The Bahamas, especially the Bahamas China Dragon Boat Association, for your dedication and important contributions.  

To support the continued growth of this great event, the Chinese Embassy has donated for five consecutive years. We also highly appreciate and strongly support the special team of breast cancer survivors competing again. The Embassy will continue to support the Bahamas Cancer Society.  

Dragon boat racing is more than a sport—it is a dialogue of civilizations, with water as the bridge. We all live on the same planet, and we should stand together in solidarity and live in harmony. This is a simple yet profound value in Chinese culture.  

China stands ready to strengthen exchanges and dialogue with all countries, including The Bahamas, to advance the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, and to work together for a better world.  

On June 10, the International Day of Dialogue Among Civilizations designated by the United Nations, the Chinese Embassy in The Bahamas will host the first China–Bahamas Dialogue of Civilizations. We warmly welcome friends from all cultural backgrounds and age groups to join us.  

Finally, may all teams row in unison, forge ahead through the waves, and achieve great success on the beautiful turquoise waters of The Bahamas.  

I wish the 5th Bahamas International Dragon Boat Festival complete success.  

Thank you!