Your Excellency, Ambassador Yan Jiarong,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening.
It is a privilege to be with you tonight as we celebrate the 76th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
An occasion like this is about history, but it is also about friendship. It is about recognising the trust that has grown between our two countries, and about looking forward with confidence to the years ahead.
The Bahamas values its friendship with China because it is built on respect. Respect for sovereignty, respect for partnership, and respect for the needs of ordinary people. That respect has been shown time and again in practical ways. When hurricanes tore through our islands, China stood with us. When our hospitals and clinics needed support, China helped strengthen them. When young Bahamians sought opportunities to study abroad, China opened its doors. These acts of friendship have made a real difference.
Friendship is also tested in moments of difficulty. We have seen China’s constructive role in promoting peace and security, including in our region. For small nations like ours, it matters to know that a partner as influential as China takes our region’s stability seriously.
And on the global stage, the partnership between our nations shows the value of cooperation. I spoke at the United Nations about the challenges of our age: climate change, sustainable development, security.
None of these can be solved by nations acting alone. They demand partnership. They demand cooperation. And in China, The Bahamas has found a partner ready to engage with seriousness and with purpose.
That is why we welcome President Xi’s call for global engagement in development, security, civilisation, and governance.
These priorities align with our own belief that progress must be shared, and that peace and prosperity can only come when nations work together.
The Bahamas has endorsed China’s Global Development Initiative because it matches our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, especially the goal of revitalising global partnerships.
For a small island nation like ours, climate change is already reshaping our shores and our future. Our people live with the consequences every day. We know that without strong, fair, and genuine partnerships, we cannot hope to meet the scale of the challenge.
Our friendship with China has also been about people-to-people ties. Bahamian students studying in Chinese universities. Chinese visitors discovering the warmth of our islands. Business exchanges that create jobs and investment. These connections give our friendship depth and durability. They make it a bond between peoples.
Our position is also clear and consistent. The Bahamas adheres firmly to the One China principle. We believe in unity, in sovereignty, and in stability. And we will continue to support China’s efforts in this regard.
So tonight, as we celebrate China’s National Day, we celebrate an anniversary that highlights a relationship already delivering for our peoples. We celebrate a partnership that continues to grow stronger. And we look forward to what we can achieve together: in education, in business, in tourism, in security, and in the fight against climate change.
Ladies and gentlemen, the world is full of challenges. It is also full of opportunities. The key to turning challenges into opportunities is friendship and cooperation. That is what China and The Bahamas have built. That is what we will continue to build.
On behalf of the Government and people of The Bahamas, I extend our warm congratulations to the Government and people of the People’s Republic of China. May this friendship continue to grow, deepen, and strengthen in the years ahead.
Thank you.