As protocol has been established, I want to thank in particular the Honourable Prime Minister Philip Davis and Mrs. Davis, the Honourable Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper and Mrs. Cooper, the Honourable Leader of the Opposition Mr. Michael Pintard, for your attendance and, even more, for your guidance and commitment to the all-round development of China-Bahamas relations.
I also wish to thank the Bahamian government, friends from all walks of life, Chinese companies, and overseas Chinese for your strong support of China-Bahamas friendship. I warmly greet all from the diplomatic corps and international organizations.
The traditional Chinese festival, the Mid-Autumn or Mooncake Festival, is around the corner. This is a beautiful festival that symbolizes reunion and tolerance. I wish everyone happiness and joy.
October 1st is the birthday of the People’s Republic of China. Over the past 76 years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have been striving for modernization, achieving a great historic leap, from poverty to the world’s second-largest economy. China now ranks first in goods trade, foreign exchange reserves, and manufacturing capacity, and second in services trade and consumption. We have eradicated extreme poverty and have built a moderately prosperous society in all respects. The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is getting closer.
Each year, I want to share a few keywords about China.
Firstly, innovation and high-quality development. China’s High-tech manufacturing is growing. The digital economy and green economy are expanding. In 2025, more than 100 Bahamian friends visited China with the support of the Chinese Embassy. Many told me they were amazed by high-speed trains, mobile payment, online shopping, driverless taxis and flying taxis—as if in the “future world.” They said China is very different from the Western media’s reports and portrayals. They also saw China offer affordable, climate-friendly technology to help developing countries realize a low-carbon growth. Tonight we display VR glasses and high-tech products from a Chinese company. I warmly invite you to try them.
The second set of keywords is stability and certainty. China has been an anchor and engine for the global economy for many years. In the first half of 2025, despite global uncertainty, tariff hikes, and protectionism, China’s economy withstood the pressure, and its GDP grew by 5.3 percent year-on-year. China has contributed about 30 percent to global growth. We are the top trading partner of more than 150 countries and regions, and an indispensable part of global industrial and supply chains. China is committed to universally beneficial, inclusive economic globalization. We will continue reforming and opening up, offering broader cooperation opportunities and markets to Global South countries, including The Bahamas.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Yet the world is not peaceful and comes to the crossroads. Against this background, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Governance Initiative, clearly articulating the core concepts, namely, sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, the people-centered approach, and real results. This Initiative aims to boost the vitality and effectiveness of the existing international system. It also seeks to increase the representation of the Global South. In fact, China had proposed three other initiatives—the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. These four global initiatives address development, security, civilization, and governance, respectively. Together, they inject stability and certainty into a turbulent world.
The third set of keywords is governance modernization and self-reform. What is the secret behind China’s success? One of the secrets is the modernization of governance: the Communist Party of China formulates and implements five-year plans scientifically and consistently, an essential advantage of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics. Another secret is that the Communist Party of China always strengthens and improves itself with the courage of self-reform—it takes a zero-tolerance attitude against corruption. For example, the Eight-Point Rules on improving work ethics and methods and maintaining close ties with the people have enhanced the Party’s governance capacity; it also provides valuable references for countries worldwide to strengthen party building and optimize governance models.
Ladies and gentlemen, friends,
China values The Bahamas as an important partner in the Caribbean.
Over the past year, thanks to the vision and wise guidance of leaders of our two countries, mutual political trust has deepened. Leaders of our two countries exchanged congratulatory messages on national and independence days. The Bahamian government supports the Global Development Initiative, welcomes the Global Governance Initiative, and appreciates the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity. It has reaffirmed the one-China principle on all occasions. As we all know, United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 in 1971 clearly states that there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is not a country but an inalienable part of China. China and The Bahamas have also cooperated closely on multilateral occasions to jointly address pressing global challenges such as climate change and sustainable development.
Several months ago, in May, the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the China-CELAC Forum was held in Beijing, an important event in the history of China-LAC relations. Minister Sears and Minister Darville were present. Recently, Minister Munro attended the Xiangshan Forum and the China–LAC High-level Defense Forum. Director General Ambassador Ali attended the China–Caribbean consultations. Minister of State Lightbourne, three other Bahamian MPs, and representatives from the PLP and the FNM joined several seminars in China. Several weeks ago, the Vice President of the Senate and Chairman of the Bahamas Trade Commission, Mr. Griffin, and other Bahamian representatives visited China to explore the Chinese market and cooperation opportunities in tourism, trade, and agriculture. These exchanges have strengthened trust and advanced bilateral relations.
Our practical cooperation has expanded in many aspects. Two months ago, in July, our two governments signed a framework agreement on the new Nassau hospital. Once completed, the hospital will be the most advanced medical facility in the Caribbean region. The renovation of the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium is progressing well. Chinese agricultural experts from Hunan have been working here for three years. More and more Chinese electric vehicles are seen on Bahamian streets. The Chinese Embassy has been working closely with women's groups like Zonta and Caribbean Women's Leadership. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Fourth UN Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995. China will host another Global Women's Summit in Beijing this month. We stand ready to work with The Bahamas to open a new chapter for women's all-around development.
I am very proud that a record number of Bahamians have joined training courses in China this year. The Bahamas-China Friendship Association successfully organized a delegation to Yiwu, the world’s capital of small commodities. Three groups of lovely Bahamian college and middle school students joined summer camps in Jiangsu, Shandong, and Guizhou provinces. Many Bahamian officers attended military training programs in China. Several students received full scholarships to study in China. Of course, we also encouraged more Chinese to visit The Bahamas and experience Junkanoo and Caribbean culture.
Ladies and gentlemen,
It’s been 15 months since I assumed office as Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas. I’ve met people from all walks of life and visited several local communities and Bahamian households. I’ll never forget my trips to the family islands—like the Restoration Village rebuilt after Dorian in Grand Bahama, hurricane shelters and farms in Andros, and disability school and summer camp in Abaco. I saw with my own eyes how optimistic and resilient the Bahamian people are. The Bahamian government and people have warmly welcomed me and my colleagues. Your hospitality, kindness, and deep friendship touched me and my colleagues. It makes me very confident about the future of our relations. China and The Bahamas respect each other, support each other, and cooperate for mutual benefit. Our relationship does not target any third party. We look forward to seeing the China-Bahamas friendship reach new heights. More tangible outcomes for the benefit of our two peoples will help write a new chapter for the China-Bahamas community with a shared future and build an even better future for our two peoples.
Finally, please allow me to propose a toast:
To the 76th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China,
To the prosperity of China and The Bahamas,