Excellency, Li Yuanming, Ambassador of China to The Bahamas

Mr. Joseph Curry, President of The Bahamas -China Friendship Association

Executive Board Members and members of The Bahamas -China Friendship Association

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good Evening:

I am pleased to join you this evening for the joint Christmas party hosted by the Embassy of China and The Bahamas-China Friendship Association.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China. The government of The Bahamas places great importance on our relations with China,. Our commitment, begun in 1997, to strengthen ties and foster new friendships with the Government and People of the People’s of the Republic of China, has not diminished today.

Ladies and gentlemen, the initiatives by the two governments to deepen our relationship can only be enhanced by the initiatives of groups such as The Bahamas – China Association which seek to strengthen the people to people contacts.

It was some three years ago that Joseph Curry and other like-minded Bahamians saw the need to expand the relations with China beyond an official level and to make it even more meaningful by the establishment of The Bahamas - China Friendship Association. Since then, there have been several planned trips to various provinces of China, to attend world renowned trade shows which many Bahamians, I am told, have embraced.

It was through the efforts of groups like your Association that the International Institute of Languages and Culture at the College of The Bahamas began to offer a Mandarin Chinese language course, which is taught by a native Chinese Lecturer, and I want to thank the government of China for making the lecturer available to the College. Ordinary Bahamians now have an opportunity to learn first hand about the language and culture of China and thus foster friendships between our peoples.

Mr. President, I wish to applaud the initiatives taken by non-governmental association’s such as yours to deepen relations between our two countries and peoples and I encourage you to keep up the good work.

Ambassador Li, this year has been a good year for our two countries and we close this year with the successful staging of the recently held China –Caribbean Economic and Trade Forum in Xiamen, China, attended by high-ranking Government officials and a diverse group of representatives from the private sector.

My Ministry was also pleased to meet with the high level officials from the Import-Export Bank of China last month. We welcome the interest the Bank’s delegation has in The Bahamas as a result of the meetings held with our Government institutions and the private sector I have been told that the delegation even had a tour of Harbour Island.

In this coming year, we, can only envision greater progress as we work hand-in-hand to bring about camaraderie and friendships in all spheres as we develop strategic programmes and projects from which our countries’ and its peoples alike can benefit. Of course, in 2008 we will celebrate with the people of China as they host the world at the Olympic games. No doubt, a significant number of Bahamians will use this opportunity to visit your beautiful country and experience your history and culture.

Ladies and gentlemen, I invite you to join me in giving a toast to continued cooperation, peace, and friendship!