Bahamian Parliamentarians meet with legislators of China’s ‘National People’s Congress’ (NPC), and other senior Government officials.
19th April, 2024
The Honourable Speaker of the House of Assembly, Madame Patricia Deveaux M.P., led a delegation of Bahamian Parliamentarians, including the President of the Senate, the Honourable Julie LaShell Adderley to an official visit to the People’s Republic of China. The group held meetings with the Chairman of the NPC, Standing Committee His Excellency Zhao Leji, and other government officials.
At an official banquet in Beijing, held at The Great Hall of The People, on 9 April, the Honourable Speaker brought warm greetings from the Prime Minister, the Honourable Philip Davis, the Government, and the people of The Bahamas. She expressed her sincere gratitude for the opportunity to enhance the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries reaffirming The Bahamas’ commitment to the One China Policy.
Madam Speaker also announced The Bahamas Government’s intent to sign President Xi Jinping’s Global Development Initiative’ (GDI), a path to sustainable global development that supports the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The President of the Senate also made remarks conveying the gratitude of the Bahamas’ Government for the continuous and invaluable support from the Government of the People’s Republic of China, particularly during challenging times in the wake of hurricanes and the recent coronavirus pandemic. She also reassured The Bahamas’ commitment to the One China Policy.
Both the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate expressed hopes for the continued growth of bilateral relations through ongoing cooperation in agriculture, trade, culture, and economic development. Other members of Parliament who comprised the delegation were the Hon. Kingsley Smith M.P. and the Hon. Kirkland Russell, Senator. Officials from the NPC included Liu Qi, Secretary General of NPC Standing Committee, Tie Ning, Vice Chairperson of the NPC Standing Committee, Hu Xiaoli, Deputy Secretary-General of the NPC Standing Committee and Madam Wang Hong, member of the Ethnic Affairs Committee of the NPC.
While in Beijing, the delegation will pay a courtesy call on The Bahamas’ Ambassador to China, Her Excellency Paulette Bethel, and will also hold meetings with a few Chinese State companies before returning to The Bahamas