Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas Huang Qinguo speaks yesterday as Hurricane Matthew Czar and Labour Minister Shane Gibson looks on. Photo: Shawn Hanna
By NICO SCAVELLA
Tribune Staff Reporter
nscavella@tribunemedia.net
THE People’s Republic of China on Friday donated $50,000 to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assist with hurricane restoration and recovery efforts.
The donation by the Chinese government came a day after the CARICOM Chairman and Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit offered the Bahamas a $100,000 donation to assist with relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.
At NEMA headquarters on Gladstone Road, Chinese Ambassador to the Bahamas Huang Qinguo, via a translator, said the donation is reflective of the Chinese embassy’s current “financial capacity” but said it is nonetheless indicative of the good rapport between the two countries.
“China and the Bahamas are friendly partners, so when you are in trouble it is our duty to offer our help as soon as possible,” he said. “This year marks the 19th anniversary since diplomatic relations between China and the Bahamas (began) and we wish that relationship can continue moving forward.
“As an old Chinese saying goes, one person in trouble and other friends will offer their help. Although China and the Bahamas are far away, now you are in need of assistance, we will offer ours.”
Minister of Labour and National Insurance Shane Gibson, the government’s co-ordinator for hurricane restoration efforts, expressed the Christie administration’s gratitude for the donation.
“What we’ve experienced is far beyond our capacity to deal with it solely as a country and as the government of the Bahamas,” he said. “And we can only do this with the help of our partners, regionally and globally. And so we appreciate (the government of China) stepping up to the plate in being one of the first countries to come in and assist us. And of course we welcome this opportunity to forge an even greater relationship than we had in the past.”
Comments
Greentea 8 years, 1 month ago
This has to be a joke right? Little Dominica gave 100 - SMH!
Well_mudda_take_sic 8 years, 1 month ago
And if we want any more from Red China, we are told to have a word with Baltron "Bag Man" Bethel who sits on the motherload of funds Red China has paid over to the Bahamian officials in backroom deals!
xtreme2x 8 years, 1 month ago
Please understand what you are reading before making some quick smart reply. That donation is from the embassy and not the government.
"via a translator, said the donation is reflective of the Chinese embassy’s current “financial capacity”
bandit 8 years, 1 month ago
Isn't the embassy representing the government of China Please do educate me?????
Socrates 8 years, 1 month ago
i'm not chinese and i feel embarrassed by this sum of money.. maybe a typo in the cable from Bejing and was supposed to be $500k?
SP 8 years, 1 month ago
........... Very Much Appreciated, Every Little Bit Helps. BUT, GEE WHIZ MAN??.............
PLP leaning away from the U.S. our closest long time & biggest ally to China is obviously without question a serious geopolitical disaster!
The U.S. has been our best friend, major strategic partner and benefactor to Bahamas in living memory. They repeatedly declared the PLP as being corrupt for good reason, which has also been common knowledge for decades globally anyway.
Nothing China is doing in Abaco, Andros and GOD only knows elsewhere in Bahamas couldn't have been done easier with even better terms with our U.S. neighbors. The only reason U.S. investors shy away from Bahamas is fear of corruption.
Bahamians desperately needs to "purge" our country of this gargantuan political corruption which is forcing the PLP to forge geopolitical affiliations with China, which is not in the best interest of the country and people of Bahamas!
We cannot blame, condemn or fault China for blatantly raping Bahamas upon finding a compromised, corrupt, desperate government in power.
After all when you catch a donkey, you ride it like an ass!
C2B 8 years, 1 month ago
They know something better than all; this money will be stolen so why give more?
sheeprunner12 8 years, 1 month ago
They bank roll the Bahamian government ............ this is a "gift"
realfreethinker 8 years, 1 month ago
Look at shame he just thinking which one of his buddies he can use that money to give a contract to
southernstargazer 8 years, 1 month ago
A little literal interpretation based on Shame's expression etc : Shame: I cani't believe this. only 50g's ... my gosh something has gone wrong. These guys are on to us.
Chinese Guy: 50k and that's it. Enough is enough! Lol... great move from China Town.
sheeprunner12 8 years, 1 month ago
BOL ........... are you a body language expert???????
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