ADDRESS DELIVERED BY HON. FRED MITCHELL 
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND THE PUBLIC SERVICE

AT A RECEPTION MARKING THE 56th  ANNIVERSARY  
OF THE FOUNDING OF
THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA  
SANDALS ROYAL BAHAMIAN, NASSAU 
30th SEPTEMBER, 2005 

I am honoured to join in the 56th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China and to extend congratulations to the people and Government of China on this auspicious occasion. 

Fifty-six years in the history of the nation of China is indeed a very short time; but China has almost certainly made more developmental strides in this period than in any other period in her long and colourful history. 

When China emerged from many years of colonial domination and internal strife in 1949, there was very little indication, if any at all, that the Government had the capacity to build, fifty-six years later, the second largest economy in the world, measured in terms of purchasing power parity.   

Fifty-six years later, it is clear to all that the Government of the People’s Republic of China has been successful in meeting the nutritional needs of the largest population on the globe; in ensuring technological and industrial advances in a number of areas; in creating decent work for the labour force; and in offering adequate health care and educational opportunities to its citizens. 

In these and other achievements, China has become a model for the large number of countries with a similar past of colonial domination and social and political backwardness. 

Eight years ago, the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China established diplomatic relations; and over this short period of time, the accelerated pace of interaction between our two countries has been nothing short of phenomenal. 

First, there was the opening of the Chinese Embassy here in Nassau.  This was then followed by official visits at varying levels, cultural exchanges and the signing of ground-breaking agreements in trade, technical assistance, infrastructural development and cooperation.   

I wish to note especially, the financial assistance which the Chinese Embassy has just recently given to the Exuma Community Marching Band, the Doris Johnson Senior High School Band, the St. Paul’s Baptist Church Marching Band and the Government High School Band, to upgrade their musical instruments.  

A new dimension of the China/Bahamas relationship is the recent formation of the China-Bahamas Friendship Association, which seeks to promote, at the non-governmental level, social, cultural and economic interaction between the two countries.  

A most pleasing development over the past eight years has been the unchecked interest that the Chinese and Bahamian business sectors have been showing in developing cross-border commerce and investment.  

More and more, Bahamian businessmen are travelling to China to take direct advantage of the vast array of high-quality, competitively-priced goods.  And more and more, Chinese entrepreneurs are looking at The Bahamas, particularly Freeport, as an important area for investment.

 My Ministry is presently planning, for early 2006, an official visit to China.  It is proposed that this visit will include a cross-section of business sector representatives to further deepen the commercial relationship between our two countries; and it is our intention to officially open a Mission in Beijing at that time. 

 There is no doubt in my mind that in the months and years ahead, these positive and productive relations between China and The Bahamas will be further enhanced and will yield positive benefits for our peoples.  

Your Excellency, once again, I congratulate the Government of the People’s Republic of China on reaching yet another milestone in the long march to the complete fulfillment of the hopes and aspirations of the Chinese people.