Prime Minister Philip Davis’s Remarks on the Occasion of the Chinese Lunar New Year

Your Excellency Ambassador Yan Jiarong,

Members of the diplomatic corps,

Members of the Chinese community in The Bahamas,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen:

Good evening.

It is a pleasure to join you for this celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year, a season of renewal, reflection, and hope.

On behalf of the Government and people of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, I extend warm greetings to the Government and people of the People’s Republic of China, and to all those here in The Bahamas and abroad who are marking this special occasion with family, tradition, and gratitude.

Tonight, we welcome the Year of the Horse.

Across cultures, the Horse is not only admired for its energy and determination, it is admired for its ability to move forward with purpose, strength, and resolve. Those qualities are not only symbolic; they are instructive. They remind us that progress requires steadiness and courage, and that the future belongs to those who continue moving forward, even when the road is not easy.

So, as this new year begins, I offer my sincere wishes for peace, good health, and prosperity for the people of China, for the people of The Bahamas, and for all gathered here this evening.

And as we reflect on the year now behind us, I also wish to congratulate China on its achievements and continued development, and to extend every good wish for even greater success in the year ahead.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Moments like this allow us to reflect on the ties that connect people across geography and across language barriers. 

They remind us that diplomacy is not only conducted in meeting rooms, but it is strengthened in communities, in classrooms, through shared experiences, and through the bonds built when people learn to understand each other.

For that reason, I am pleased to say that the relationship between The Bahamas and China continues to develop in meaningful ways, and importantly, in ways that have tangible impact. Over the past year, we have witnessed meaningful collaboration that has directly impacted lives.

One remarkable example is the conclusion of the Bright Action Initiative, which resulted in over 200 Bahamians receiving sight-restoring treatment. That represents more than medical assistance – it represents the restoration of dignity, recovery of independence and reinforcement of family bonds. For those outcomes, we are genuinely appreciative.

We also recognize the significant progress being made on the new Nassau hospital, which remains a major national priority. 

When nations cooperate on health infrastructure, they are investing in the long-term well-being of their citizens. 

In addition to healthcare, we are encouraged by practical cooperation that strengthens resilience and development in areas that matter greatly to small island states like ours.

When Hurricane Melissa affected The Bahamas, we were grateful for international partners who stood with us, including support received through China’s disaster assistance mechanisms in the region. 

In moments of recovery, solidarity carries meaning far beyond the monetary value of a contribution. It is a reminder that friendship is demonstrated in action.

We also acknowledge progress under the Hunan–Bahamas agricultural cooperation, which reflects shared interests in improving capacity, strengthening food systems, and expanding knowledge exchange. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

If there is one thing we have learned from recent years, it is this: the strongest partnerships are those that combine practical outcomes with genuine people-to-people connection.

And that is why exchanges between citizens matter so much.

We welcome the fact that more Bahamians are being exposed directly to China’s culture, its history, and its modern development, including through organised visits and professional exchanges. These opportunities widen understanding and build relationships that endure beyond any single term, administration, or project.

We also appreciate continued support for education and skills development. Scholarships, training, and professional exposure are among the most valuable forms of cooperation because they empower individuals and strengthen national capacity. We are pleased that scholarship opportunities will continue to be made available for Bahamian students in 2026.

And we look forward as well to upcoming training programmes and technical engagement in priority areas such as health, trade, and green development. 

These are areas that align closely with the national priorities of The Bahamas as we continue to modernise our economy and build stronger resilience to climate and global shocks.

Your Excellency, ladies and gentlemen,

This year, we also wish to place special emphasis on an area that speaks directly to the heart of friendship between nations, and that is culture.

Culture is identity. It is memory. It is pride. It is the story a nation tells about itself, and the bridge it builds toward others.

Here in The Bahamas, our culture is alive. It is in our music. It is in Junkanoo. It is in our community spirit and our resilience, born from centuries of history and refined by the challenges we have overcome together as a people.

And China, too, stands as one of the world’s great civilisations, with a history and cultural heritage that continue to inspire.

When our cultures engage with respect, we do not lose ourselves, we gain a deeper appreciation of humanity.

In this context, we recognise the importance of global efforts that promote mutual respect among cultures and civilisations, including initiatives encouraging greater cultural exchange and people-to-people connection.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As Prime Minister, I have consistently emphasized the importance of partnership and multilateral cooperation in facing the world’s challenges. 

Addressing climate change, promoting sustainable development, tackling global health challenges, and handling security issues all call for unity – focusing on communication and collaboration rather than division. 

It is in that spirit that we acknowledge efforts aimed at strengthening international cooperation in the areas of development, security, cultural understanding, and governance.

At the same time, the foundation of good relations between states must always include clarity, mutual respect, and adherence to established diplomatic principles.

Therefore, on this important occasion, let me reaffirm that The Commonwealth of The Bahamas maintains its longstanding adherence to the One-China principle.

We value stable and respectful relations, and we look forward to strengthening cooperation with China in ways that advance shared priorities and deliver benefits to our people.

To the Chinese community in The Bahamas, I also wish to offer special recognition. Your contributions strengthen our society, enrich our communities and help deepen the ties of friendship between our nations through everyday acts of work, citizenship, and shared living.

Your Excellency, thank you for your continued engagement and partnership. And to the Embassy staff, thank you for your support in advancing cooperation and strengthening people-to-people connection.

As we welcome the Year of the Horse, may this year bring renewed optimism, deeper friendship, and continued progress in Bahamas–China relations.

May it be a year of peace,

May it be a year of prosperity.

And may it be a year in which our peoples continue to learn from each other, support each other, and build a relationship grounded in respect and shared humanity.

Happy Lunar New Year and thank you.