THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF CHINA & THE MINISTRIES OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE CARIBBEAN REGION HAVING DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH CHINA,

On 7^th July, 2023, Mr Antonio Butler Jr, Foreign Service Officer, represented the Government of The Bahamas at the Eighth Round of Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China and various Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Caribbean countries that have diplomatic relations with China in Portsmouth, Dominica.

The consultations serve as a platform for Caribbean States to strengthen their dialogue and cooperation with China. The 8^th meeting was Co-chaired by the Hon. Dr Vince Henderson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy of the Commonwealth of Dominica, and Ms Hua Chunying, Vice/Assistant Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China. 

The Bahamas highlighted the need for greater South-South Cooperation, Blue Economy Co-Investment Strategies (Green Development), Climate Change initiatives, and Hotel investments within The Bahamas post-COVID-19. 

Other topics discussed during the consultations included food security, the humanitarian and security crisis in Haiti, the reform of the international financial systems, disaster relief, and current tensions between mainland China and Taiwan and the need for continued peace.