Speaking at a reception at the Kuntai Royal Hotel to mark the opening, Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell called the event an important day in bilateral relations between China and the Bahamas
Mr Mitchell recalled that diplomatic relations began some nine years ago, on May 23, 1997.
The minister highlighted some of the visits between state, government and party officials of the two countries since diplomatic relations began.
He pointed out that Prime Minister Perry Christie and former prime minister Hubert Ingraham made official visits to China and that Chinese vice-president and health minister Wu Yi had visited Nassau and Freeport.
Mr Mitchell announced that the prime minister had appointed Phillip Miller as charge d’affaires and head of mission in Beijing. Mr Miller’s previous posting was that of under-secretary of the trade and economic affairs division in the Ministry of Foreign ï¾ Affairs.
Mr Mitchell said Mr Miller “comes well-qualified, following distinguished service to two prime ministers of the Bahamas in the area of trade and investment, agriculture and foreign affairs. He has the fullest support of Prime Minister Christie and this minister.”
Chinese vice-minister of foreign affairs, Li Jinzhang, welcomed Mr Mitchell to China, congratulated Mr Miller on his appointment, and said the opening of the embassy would further strengthen ties between China and the Bahamas.
The opening was attended by Beijing’s diplomatic corps, including Caribbean representatives These included Guyana’s charge d’ affaires, Cecil Pollydore; Jamaica’s ambassador Wayne McCook; Suriname’s ambassador, Roy M. Wong Lun Hing and Grenada’s ambassador, Josylyn Whiteman.
Mr Mitchell explained that the embassy’s office at No 14 Liang Ma He Road, which is under renovation, would not be fully ready for business for another four to six weeks.
He thanked the British for providing consular service through the transition phase.
Several Bahamian and Chinese business people who trade between the two countries were also on hand, along with Bahamian students studying in China.
Source: The Tribune
Nassau Bahamas
