The Tribune

AS China’s economy continues to grow and expand, its local Embassy officials believe that its investments in the Bahamas, and the wider Caribbean, will continue to increase as its relationship with these countries deepens.

Speaking at his Embassy’s recognition of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Ambassador Hu Shan said that the new Standing Committee of the Political Bureau, now led by Secretary General Xi Jinping will have a far reaching impact.

Xi Jinping was elected as secretary general of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on November 15th, taking over from Hu Jintao who has led China for over a decade.

According to Ambassador Hu, the new Congress has stressed that China will continue to hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, as it follows a “win-win strategy” of opening up.

“We are in discussions with the new (PLP) administration to strengthen the economic and technical cooperation. For example, in the field of agriculture and fisheries China is ready to provide the Bahamas with technology as well as technicians. The Embassy is also in discussions with the government in the field of tourism, and all the projects here by Chinese companies are going very smoothly and the future is looking even brighter as they bring real benefits for both peoples of each country,” Ambassador Hu said.

The theme of the 18th CPC National Congress was to hold high the “great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics” and to strive to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

The Congress set out the goal of ensuring the fulfilment of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and deepening of reform and opening up by 2020.

With the ascension of a new leader in China, Ambassador Hu said that his country’s foreign policy is not expected to change, as they look for a smooth, coordinated continuance of warm relationships with foreign nations.

As for the possibility of increased investments in the Bahamas from China, Ambassador Hu said that as China’s economy continues to grow, it will surely increase its investments.

“Particularly in the last three years, China’s investments in the world has grown very fast and you can see that in the Bahamas, also in the Caribbean region, and also in the US and Europe. And so we can see that China’s growth and development is beneficial to the world,” he said.