Remarks by
The Hon. Fred Mitchell
Minister of Foreign Affairs

 

Mr. Foreign Minister, distinguished ladies and gentleman, it is my honour and privilege to head the delegation from the Commonwealth of The Bahamas on this official visit to China. On behalf of our Prime Minister the Hon. Perry Christie, I bring you greetings on this occasion  and he has asked me to express the warmest best wishes to your President. I wish to thank your Government and your new Ambassador in The Bahamas and his staff, the staff of your Ministry for the excellent job they have done in making this a successful visit and making my entire delegation feel welcome.

Traveling with me as you know is the Minister of Transport the Hon. Glenys Hanna Martin and the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Consul General at Hong Kong Freddie Tucker. I know that the entire delegation and those who are here to support us are pleased with all of the arrangements and are greatly impressed by your country. I will take back with me to  Nassau the warm greetings l of your people and fond memories of your country.

The Bahamas and China have been diplomatic partners since1997. In that time, we have concluded a number of cooperation agreements and exchanged views on a number of subjects of mutual interest. In the past year, we have seen high level visit by representatives of the Government of the Peoples Republic in Nassau, and we thought it only fitting and appropriate that we reciprocate those visits. Even as we speak, the two countries are working toward the conclusion of yet another agreement on cultural cooperation.

China is a great nation, with a great people and a history stretching back many thousands of years into the past. It has an equally dynamic future ahead of it. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is a small nation with a very recent history with what we believe is an exciting and dynamic future. But one thing that we share is the common regard for the development of our respective peoples and a commitment to peace around the world, self determination and the peaceful determination of international and domestic political question.

In this regard, we applaud the constructive role that China has played at the United Nations, and we look forward to the continuation of the dialogue between Caribbean Nations and China when the General Assembly resumes in New York in September not too long from now. I hope that you might find it possible while you are on that side of the world to pay a visit to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas so that we might have an opportunity to continue our bilateral dialogue and reciprocate your hospitality .

The Bahamas support the one China policy.