Her Excellency, the Most Honourable Dame Cynthia Pratt, Governor-General,
Ambassador Yan Jiarong,
Members of the Judiciary,
Colleague Ministers and Parliamentarians,
Members of the Diplomatic and Honorary Consular Corps,
Senior Public Servants,
Distinguished Guests, Friends of the Chinese and Bahamian Community, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening.
It is a great honour to join you in celebrating China’s Lunar New Year 2025, which marks the Year of the Snake, a symbol of wisdom, resilience, and transformation.
The snake is known for its ability to shed its skin, representing the process of letting go of the old and embracing the new. This reminds us to face challenges with foresight and creativity while seizing opportunities for growth and transformation.
The traditions of the Lunar New Year, from family reunions to vibrant cultural displays, highlight the richness of Chinese heritage and its global significance in fostering harmony and prosperity.
Tonight, I would also like to celebrate the enduring friendship between The Bahamas and China. As we welcome the new year, 2025 marks the 28th anniversary of diplomatic relations between us. Over these years, our partnership has grown stronger, grounded in mutual respect and collaboration.
Thanks to the commitment of the Embassy of China in The Bahamas, our government received additional support bilaterally and multilaterally to promote The Bahamas’ overall development, and more specifically, with its advocacy for food resilience and security, climate adaptation, and the development of the blue economy.
Some of the projects attached to this support include:
- China’s handover of materials and band equipment to The Bahamas’ Ministry of National Security;
- The strengthening of sister-city relations between Grand Bahama Island and Hunan Province;
- the refurbishment of the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium;
- capacity-building exercises in the areas of media, agriculture, tourism, and culture;
- the donation of supply tool kits to farmers in North Andros;
- technical assistance programmes to aid in the further development of Bahamian professionals and students; and
- collaboration with the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) to establish a demonstration farm at the Gladstone Road Agricultural Centre (GRAC). I encourage all Bahamians to visit the farm at the Gladstone Road Agricultural Centre (GRAC) to witness the positive results of China’s support to our food resilience efforts.
Of course, the Chinese Embassy and the People’s Republic of China have provided support in many ways to our nation over the years, which is a testament to the length and depth of our ties as we partner on numerous developmental projects.
Ambassador,
On behalf of the Government and people of The Bahamas, I extend our sincerest appreciation for the support received from your office and from the Government and people of China.
We look forward to continuing our partnership to realize beneficial outcomes in areas of mutual interest.
As you progress in your distinguished tenure, we anticipate the year ahead will be marked by further remarkable achievements and memorable experiences. We also look forward to deepening and strengthening our bonds of friendship and cooperation.
The Bahamas remains steadfast in its commitment to the One-China policy, reflecting our respect for China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We value this principle as a cornerstone of our bilateral relationship and remain intent on working with China to advance shared priorities both within our nations and on the global stage.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
In closing, let us raise our glasses as we welcome this Lunar New Year with hope, determination, and a shared vision for a better tomorrow. As the snake teaches us to adapt and renew, may our partnership continue to flourish and bring prosperity to our peoples.
On behalf of the Government and the people of The Bahamas, I extend my warmest wishes to the Government and people of China for a year filled with health, happiness, and success.
Happy Lunar New Year!
Thank you.