The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

GOVERNOR General Dame Marguerite Pindling yesterday heralded the appointment of a new Chinese ambassador to The Bahamas as a step towards strengthening “the friendship and relations between the Bahamas and China”.

She spoke at a ceremony at Government House yesterday morning, at which the Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas Huang Qinguo was presented with his letters of credence.

Dame Marguerite said the appointment is a continuation of the “commitments made by both countries to work jointly in many spheres for our mutual benefit”.

“I am informed that you (Mr Qinguo) are the eighth ambassador to the Bahamas and that, in Chinese culture, this number has a significant meaning,” she said. “This augurs well, therefore, for the fruition of your efforts to strengthen the friendship and relations between The Bahamas and China.”

She added: “The Bahamas and China established diplomatic relations 19 years ago, a short time in reality, but much has been attained in those relations through the commitments made by both countries to work jointly in many spheres for our mutual benefit. The Bahamas hopes to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations in May 2017 in a memorable way, not only here in Nassau but also in Beijing.”

Mr Qinguo succeeds former ambassador Yuan Guisen, who left the country earlier this year.