Honourable Minister Fitzgerald,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have long hoped to bring together a forum like this. Today, that vision has become a reality thanks to the strong support of the China General Chamber of Commerce in The Bahamas, the Bahamas Trade Commission, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers' Confederation, and the Bahamas China Friendship Association. I also warmly thank Minister Fitzgerald for joining us today. Your insights will add great value to our discussions.

Why did we want to organize this forum? Because there are questions that I was asked repeatedly—and these are questions that I continue to ask myself. Today, I hope we can explore them together.

First question: How can The Bahamas make better use of Chinese products to lower the cost of living?

China had become the major trading partner of more than 160 countries and regions. China's manufacturing sector has remained the world's largest for 16 consecutive years. China's products are known for its combination of quality, affordability and innovation. How can more of these products reach Bahamian households and make life easier?

Second question: How can more Bahamian products enter the Chinese market?

China is rapidly becoming the world's largest and most dynamic consumer market. According to China's National Bureau of Statistics, the country's middle-income population has exceeded 400 million. Bahamian lobster, rum and traditional handicrafts have earned an outstanding international reputation. How can these products find their way into Chinese homes?

Third question: How can The Bahamas benefit from China's innovation ecosystem?

For many years, China faced technological restrictions and external barriers in a number of key industries. China invested heavily in independent innovation, broke technological monopolies, lowered costs and transformed innovation into benefits not only for China but increasingly for the world.

China's enormous and diverse domestic market provides an ideal environment where new technologies can be rapidly tested, refined and commercialized. An innovation born in the laboratory can quickly become a mass-produced product. A new idea can evolve into a major industry supported by a market of 1.4 billion people.

How can The Bahamas make use of this ecosystem to turn the Bahamian creativity into strong industries and new growth?

Fourth question: How can The Bahamas strengthen its energy resilience through cooperation with China in renewable energy?

Recent tensions in the Middle East have once again highlighted the vulnerability of countries that rely heavily on imported fossil fuels. China has built the world's largest clean energy system and the most complete renewable energy industrial supply chain. These technologies are now serving more than 200 countries and regions, providing cleaner, more reliable and more affordable energy while supporting the global response to climate change. The Bahamas enjoys abundant sunshine throughout the year. How can our two countries deepen cooperation in renewable energy so that The Bahamas achieve greater energy independence and climate resilience?

These questions are always on my mind. As China's leaders say: "Problems are found in the office, but solutions are found in the field. The real experts are among the people." That is precisely why we are here---- to share ideas, find opportunities, and jointly explore practical solutions for expanding China–The Bahamas cooperation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In recent years, under the leadership of our respective governments, both China and The Bahamas have made remarkable progress.

The Bahamian economy continues its strong recovery. After this year's general election, the Government's blueprint and new policy agenda reflects both confidence and vision.

For China, 2026 marks the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan. China's economy has maintained strong momentum despite global uncertainties, demonstrating three clear features.

First, steady growth, which has brought greater stability to the global economy.

In the first half of 2026, China's GDP is up 4.7% from last year. This growth may appear moderate. We have to bear in mind that it is achieved on the basis of one of the world's largest economies against the backdrop of energy shortages, disrupted global supply chains and a challenging international environment. China has continued to contribute around 30 percent of global economic growth, providing valuable certainty in an increasingly uncertain world.

Second, innovation, which has become a powerful engine of global development.

China now ranks first globally in both the number of researchers and international patent applications. Artificial intelligence has entered a period of rapid development, with leading large models such as DeepSeek, Seedance and the recently released Kimi K3 attracting worldwide attention. Kimi K3 has become the world's first open-source three-trillion-parameter AI model. China firmly believes that innovation should remain open and shared. Many of our leading AI models are open source, making advanced technologies more accessible and affordable, especially for global south countries. Global downloads of Chinese open-source AI models have now exceeded 10 billion.

If China's vast market once offered the world primarily a "market dividend," today it offers both an even larger market and an "innovation dividend" driven by technological progress and industrial upgrading. Many countries have begun referring to this as "China Opportunity 2.0."

At the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, President Xi Jinping announced that over the next five years China will provide 5,000 AI training opportunities for developing countries, establish international AI application cooperation centers with the African Union, with Latin America and Caribbean Countries, etc. These initiatives reflect China's commitment to ensuring that the benefits of AI are shared more broadly across the Global South.

Third, openness and cooperation, which continue to create new opportunities for shared development.

While protectionism and unilateralism are on the rise, China remains committed to expanding high-level opening-up. China has now granted zero-tariff treatment to 63 countries. China has decided to grant zero tariffs to all products from the 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China, setting a new benchmark for South-South cooperation.

To help more quality products from around the world enter China, we have also launched the "Export to China" initiative, creating more efficient and convenient channels for international businesses to reach Chinese consumers.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As China's Ambassador to The Bahamas, my mission is to promote exchanges and cooperation across all sectors. Despite a complex international environment, China–The Bahamas relations have continued to make steady progress this year.

In support of The Bahamas' trade diversification strategy, I participated in the Trade Diversification Forum organized by the Bahamas Trade Commission in April. During the first half of this year, the Embassy supported and facilitated several business delegations to attend the Canton Fair and visit the Yiwu International Trade Market.

The Embassy has also continued to sponsor Bahamian government officials, young leaders, and business representatives to travel to China and participate in professional training programs. Later this year, China will fully fund three  seminar or workshops exclusively for Bahamians to have exchanges and capacity building in China.

Day-to-day, the Embassy provides business information, facilitates commercial matchmaking and supports companies from both countries in identifying new opportunities.

I would very much welcome your ideas on what more the Embassy can do to support China–The Bahamas economic and trade cooperation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Next year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and The Bahamas. Let us use this milestone to generate more ideas, build more partnerships, and create even greater opportunities for cooperation. Together, let us write the next chapter of China–The Bahamas friendship and lift our relationship to new heights.

Thank you.