The Honourable Prime Minister Philip Davis,
Honourable Ministers and distinguished guests from the Opposition Party,
Excellencies, Heads of International Organizations, and Honorary Consuls,
Dear Chinese compatriots, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to celebrate together with you the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. I sincerely thank all friends who have long supported China-Bahamas friendship. I also send holiday greetings to our compatriots living and working in The Bahamas.

I have just returned to The Bahamas. While in China, I visited my grandfather’s hometown with my parents. I had not been there for more than 30 years. At that time, the village had no electricity, and the trip took three hours on rough mountain roads. Today, electricity is stable, and highways and high-speed rail reach the area, making the journey home much easier.

Rural residents now earn 12 times more. More than 99 percent of school-age children are in school. Over 99 percent of rural low-income people and those lifted out of poverty have basic medical insurance. This visit helped me better understand Chinese modernization. It puts people first - it means electricity for families, better roads for children, and medical insurance for the elderly. Rural tourism is also growing quickly, and I met several foreign tourists in the small town. Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that ‘lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.’ Guided by this idea, China’s rural economy is becoming greener and more sustainable.

Over the past 77 years, China has undergone great changes under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. We have achieved rapid economic growth and long-term social stability. This year marks the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. The global and domestic environment is very complex, but China’s economy remains steady and resilient. In the first half of this year, China’s GDP grew by 4.7 percent—a steady and encouraging start.

Innovation is a key driver of China’s development. Today, I do not have a paper copy of my speech. My speech is right here, in this pair of AI glasses. Many things once seen only in science-fiction movies are now becoming real in China. Chinese AI models have been downloaded more than 10 billion times worldwide, and 8 out of every 10 humanoid and four-legged robots sold globally are made in China.

Opening up and win-win cooperation are key features of China’s development. President Xi Jinping has said, ‘One will not be seen in a more favourable light after blowing out others’ lamp; nor will they go farther by blocking others’ paths.’ China remains committed to high-standard opening up and sharing development opportunities with the world.

China has extended zero-tariff treatment to 63 countries. In the first half of this year, China’s imports grew by 22.1 percent, faster than its exports. Some people talk about China’s development as ‘China Shock 2.0,’ but many others see it as ‘China Opportunity 2.0.’ According to a report by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, every one-percentage-point of China’s economic growth can drive growth in Latin America and the Caribbean by 0.5 percentage points.

Building a community with a shared future for humanity is China’s long-term goal. This year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. For generations, the Party has worked for the well-being of the Chinese people and contributed to world peace and progress. China is committed to building peace, supporting global development, and upholding the international order.

Today, changes unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace. President Xi Jinping has put forward the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative. These initiatives offer China’s ideas for tackling global challenges and improving global governance. Artificial intelligence is developing rapidly. China has proposed establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization to help Global South countries share the benefits of AI and prevent new digital divides.

I believe you all noticed, from September 23 to 25, President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to the United States. The visit marked the first time in the history of China-U.S. relations that the two heads of state have visited each other within a six-month period. The two sides agreed to build ‘a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability on the basis of respect, fairness, and reciprocity’, sending a positive signal that China and the United States are moving toward each other, pursuing peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation. This will benefit the people of both countries and contribute to the well-being of the world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Bahamas is an important partner of China in the Caribbean. Under the strategic guidance of our leaders, China-Bahamas relations are opening new opportunities for cooperation.

Political trust between our two countries is deepening. China and The Bahamas firmly support each other on issues concerning our respective core interests. We appreciate The Bahamas’ longstanding commitment to the one-China principle. China supports The Bahamas in upholding its independence, forging international partnerships based on its own national interests, and safeguarding peace and stability in the region.

Exchanges between our two countries are growing. This year, we successfully held the first China-Bahamas Forum on Dialogue among Civilizations, the first China-Bahamas Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum. We supported the fifth Bahamas International Dragon Boat Festival, and the fourth Chinese Calligraphy Festival. For the fifth year in a row, the Chinese Embassy has donated assistive devices to persons with disabilities in The Bahamas.

With the support of the Chinese Embassy, more than 100 Bahamian friends have visited China this year. In July, representatives of the PLP and the FNM travelled to China for party-to-party exchanges. In August, four Bahamian Members of Parliament attended the 2026 Interregional Seminar on the Achievement of the SDGs. In September, the Commissioner of Police and the Commander of Defence Force travelled to China to attend the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum and the Xiangshan Forum. Forty-six Bahamian participants attended two capacity-building programs organized exclusively for the Bahamas, on the digital economy, green development, and trade diversification. Nine Bahamian students received scholarships to study in China. Eight Bahamian students travelled to China for a study tour on green development. In October, 23 doctors and nurses from Bahamian hospitals will travel to China for a public health capacity-building program. Bahamian basketball player Franco Miller has started a new chapter of his career in China, and singer Julien Believe will perform at the 2026 Latin American Arts Season. Of course, we are also seeing more Chinese tourists in Nassau, and we hope to welcome many more next year.

Practical cooperation between our two countries is also expanding. The new hospital project in Nassau has broken ground, and the renovation of the National Stadium is moving forward with both governments investing in various projects. This year the embassy happily facilitated several Bahamian business delegations to visit China for the Canton Fair and the Yiwu International Trade Market.

As we often say in the Caribbean, ‘Many hands make light work.’ China-Bahamas cooperation has great potential in energy security and food security. Chinese electric vehicles and solar energy equipment continue to support The Bahamas in its green transition. At the end of last year, the Bahamas Demonstration Farm Project, funded by Hunan Province, was completed. China is now considering providing funding to the Bahamas for a climate-smart food security project to be carried out by the United Nations Development Programme.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

There is an old Chinese saying: ‘Nothing can separate people who share the same goals, not even mountains and seas.’ Next year, China and The Bahamas will celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations. As we stand at this new starting point, China is ready to work with the Government and people of The Bahamas. Let us deepen political trust, align our development strategies, expand exchanges and cooperation, and build a brighter future for China-Bahamas relations.

Finally, may I invite you to join me in a toast:

To the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China,

To the prosperity of China and The Bahamas, 

To the lasting friendship between our two countries,

To the health and happiness of everyone here, 

Cheers!