The Embassy of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in Beijing

H.E. Ms. Paulette Bethel participated in an Initiative, organized by the United Nations in China, on Friday, 12 July 2024, under the theme “Dialogue on Innovative Approaches to Accelerating Sustainable Development: Country, Regional and Global Actions for a Better Future”. Ambassador Bethel made a keynote address on “Climate Actions for Small Island Developing States (SIDS)” in which she noted, inter alia, that the climate crisis is an existential threat for SIDS, and that a reformed international financial architecture, underpinned by a multidimensional vulnerabilities index, is essential to facilitating and providing SIDS with easier access to affordable concessional financing. She also noted the importance of the upcoming Summit of the Future to be held at UN Headquarters in New York in September of this year, which will address measures to close the significant financing gap required for SIDS and other developing countries to meet the SDGs. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

Happy Independence Day from Foreign Minister the Hon. Frederick A. Mitchell MP.

On Monday, 1 July 2024, H.E. Mr. Joseph Curry, non-resident Ambassador of The Bahamas to the Holy See, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Ms. Paulette Bethel at the Embassy of The Bahamas in Beijing, along with five other Bahamian nationals. In addition to Ambassador Curry, the party of visitors included three officers from the Customs Department – Mr. Dexter Bain, Mr. Delmaro Mackey, and Mr. Jonithan Rolle – as well as Mr. Anthony Bostwick and Mr. Charles Farquharson of RUA Investment (Bahamas) Ltd.

H.E. Paulette Bethel, along with the staff at the Embassy of The Bahamas in Beijing, PRC, observed and celebrated the 51st Anniversary of The Bahamas Independence with a lunch on Friday, 5 July. The Ambassador made remarks regarding the significance of the day, and shared with the staff the message of Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Cynthia A. Pratt, O.N., DCMG on the occasion of the 51st Anniversary of The Bahamas' Independence.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

On 25 June, 2024, H.E. Paulette Bethel participated in the 2024 China Agricultural Conference for International Economic and Trade Cooperation which was jointly sponsored by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC). Opening remarks were made by Mr. Yu Jianlong, Vice-Chairman of CCPIT and CCOIC, and by Dr. Zhang Zhongjun, Officer-in-Charge of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) representation in China under the theme of “Enabling Green Future through Technology Innovation and Creating Win-win Cooperation in Supply Chain”. A number of Ambassadors also made remarks outlining their respective country experiences in agricultural development and emphasizing the importance of green and low carbon development in this arena.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

On 28 June, 2024, H.E. Paulette Bethel, Ambassador of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the People’s Republic of China attended the ceremony at the Great Hall of the People to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. At the ceremony, President Xi Jinping delivered an address outlining the impact of the Five Principles on the international community over past decades, since their promulgation by the China. In addition to the representatives of the diplomatic corps in Beijing, the ceremony was attended by former leaders from around the world, as well as high-ranking officials of the Chinese government and Communist Party.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

On the 15th of June 2024, The Bahamas Embassy in Beijing hosted a Students’ Program with Beijing Radio and Television Station (BRTV) to expose Chinese Middle School students to the history, culture and geography of The Bahamas, as well as other aspects of life in the country. In the process, the students were able to enjoy some Bahamian music and also engaged in creating their own Junkanoo hats, during the Craft segment of the event. Third Secretary/Vice Consul, Ms. Antonia Ingraham, along with Executive Assistant, Ms. Setter Yang oversaw the Program on behalf of the Embassy.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

H.E. Paulette Bethel, Ambassador of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the People’s Republic of China will assume the chairmanship of the Caucus of Caribbean Embassies in Beijing from July to December, 2024. The chairmanship rotates among resident Ambassadors every six months and so it was at the Regular Meeting of the Caucus, on 27 June, that the symbolic gavel was passed to Ambassador Bethel by the outgoing Chair, H.E. Analisa Low, Ambassador of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

On Sunday, 9 June, 2024, H.E. Ambassador Paulette Bethel made opening remarks at the first World Expatriate Health Day (WEHD) held in Beijing, China, and spearheaded by Dr. Kayla Brown, a young Bahamian doctor studying and working in Beijing. The event included participation by international hospitals, medical insurance entities and organizations offering a wide range of health services to the large expatriate community in the capital city of the People’s Republic of China. In her remarks, Ambassador Bethel noted how important and comforting it is for expatriates to know that the health care services they may require are available and reliable. She commended Dr. Brown for the initiative which demonstrates not only her concern for the welfare of the expatriate community, but also her dedication to her profession, in seeking to ensure that all sectors of the society are serviced efficiently and comprehensively, in the area of health. Ambassador Bethel also noted that the future of humanity rests on the vision and dedication of young people such as Dr. Brown.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

H.E. Paulette Bethel participated in a visit to Gansu Province, along with other Ambassadors and representatives from over twenty countries resident in Beijing. Gansu was central to the exchange among civilizations as they passed through the ancient Silk Road and is the site of the Mogao Grottoes that were carved into the mountains by those who traversed the area during their journeys centuries ago. The delegation visited a number of local industries, including some focused on green and low-carbon development, such as the Dunhuang Shouhang 100 MW Tower Solar Thermal Power Generation Project which has an annual power generation capacity of 390 million kilowatt-hours.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

On Monday, 3 June, H.E. Ms. Paulette Bethel received a courtesy call from Mr. Yan Meng, Vice President of China Railway Construction Corporation (International) Ltd. (CRCC). Mr. Yan gave an overview of CRCC’s engagements in The Bahamas and other Caribbean countries. Ms. Julie Campbell, Minister at the Embassy also participated in the meeting and greeted the visitors from CRCC.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

On the 24th May 2024, The Embassy of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas partnered with Asia Pacific Daily and The Bahamas Tourism Bureau to host a Media Appreciation, Tourism and Cultural Promotional Event for media groups who cooperated with Embassy over the past years. The event was held at JinShang Indoor Garden Theatre and in attendance were tourism representative Mikala Moss, Global Manager of Sales and Marketing (Canada and China) for The Bahamas Tourism Office (Toronto); Keson Tinker, Regional Manager for The Bahamas Tourism Office (Los Angeles); Jin Wensheng, Chairman of Asia Pacific Daily; Liu Lili, Editor-in-Chief of Asia Pacific Daily, Beijing Radio and Television Station (BRTV), LookWe Magazine, Voice of Diplomacy, the World and China, and various media groups.

The event opened with remarks from H.E. Paulette Bethel, Ambassador of The Bahamas to China. She expressed gratitude Mr. Jin Wensheng, Chairman of Asia Pacific Daily for collaborating with the Embassy on this event; and the many media partners in attendance for their continued support of the Embassy. In her speech, Ambassador Bethel welcomed Chinese nationals to make use of the visa free travels to The Bahamas and exclaimed that efforts are currently underway for provisions of more direct air service between the two countries. Additionally, The Bahamas has recently signed on to President Xi Jinping’s Global Development Initiative (GDI) . She also acknowledged that the previous day marked the 27th Anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China.

Chairman Jin Wensheng remark stating the importance of this event to highlight the friendship between the two countries and the importance of facilitating cultural exchange activities. Editor-in-Chief Liu Lili follow-up with a personal account of her experience visiting The Bahamas twice.

Global Manager Mikala Moss gave a presentation on the beauty of The Bahamas and why The Bahamas is a great choice for Chinese nationals. She highlighted the best flight routes from China to The Bahamas and reiterated the visa free waiver for the two countries. She ended the presentation with a video capturing the essences of The Bahamas.

As a part of the media appreciation event special media partners with The Bahamas Embassy, Asia Pacific Daily, Beijing Radio and Television Station (BRTV), LookWe Magazine, Voice of Diplomacy, and the World and China received certificates for their partnership with the Embassy over the past year.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

Her Excellency Paulette Bethel, along with from some 25 other Ambassadors and representatives from the Latin American and Caribbean region, participated in a 4-day visit (22-25 April) to the Province of Hubei, marking the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-CELAC Forum and the 10th anniversary of the China-CELAC Community of Destiny. The visit was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in conjunction with the Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) of Hubei Province. Traveling with the envoys were a number of top officials from the MFA-China., including Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Hua Chunying and Mr. Qu Yuhui, Deputy Director General of the Latin America and Caribbean Department of MFA-China. The first stop was in Xiangyang city followed by a visit to Wuhan, the capital of Hubei. In both cities, the delegation engaged with high-ranking provincial government officials and executives of leading Chinese businesses located in the Province. They also attended the opening ceremony of the 2024 China-Latin American and Caribbean States Space Cooperation Forum while in Wuhan. The envoys also had the opportunity to meet and interact with students from the LAC region when they paid a visit to Hubei University in Wuhan. Visits to historical and cultural sites were part and parcel of the tour, providing the participants with a wide variety of experiences that could enhance their understanding and appreciation of the heritage of Hubei Province and of the wider country.Her Excellency Paulette Bethel, along with from some 25 other Ambassadors and representatives from the Latin American and Caribbean region, participated in a 4-day visit (22-25 April) to the Province of Hubei, marking the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-CELAC Forum and the 10th anniversary of the China-CELAC Community of Destiny. The visit was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in conjunction with the Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) of Hubei Province. Traveling with the envoys were a number of top officials from the MFA-China., including Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Hua Chunying and Mr. Qu Yuhui, Deputy Director General of the Latin America and Caribbean Department of MFA-China. The first stop was in Xiangyang city followed by a visit to Wuhan, the capital of Hubei. In both cities, the delegation engaged with high-ranking provincial government officials and executives of leading Chinese businesses located in the Province. They also attended the opening ceremony of the 2024 China-Latin American and Caribbean States Space Cooperation Forum while in Wuhan. The envoys also had the opportunity to meet and interact with students from the LAC region when they paid a visit to Hubei University in Wuhan. Visits to historical and cultural sites were part and parcel of the tour, providing the participants with a wide variety of experiences that could enhance their understanding and appreciation of the heritage of Hubei Province and of the wider country.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

On 12 April 2024, Ambassador H.E. Paulette Bethel hosted the visiting Parliamentarians to a welcome lunch, which was followed by a visit to the new chancery, 901 Liangmaqiao Diplomatic Compound A, Chaoyang Park, Beijing. The delegation included the Honourable Speaker of the House of Assembly, Madame Patricia Deveaux M.P., the President of the Senate, the Honourable Julie LaShell Adderley, the Honourable Kingsley Smith M.P. and the Honourable Kirkland Russell, Senator.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

Bahamian Parliamentarians meet with Legislators of China’s ‘National People’s Congress’ (NPC), and other senior Government officials.

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.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

Ambassador Bethel participated in the 2024 Sichuan Tour for diplomatic envoys to China, along with thirty other representatives from Embassies and international organizations based in Beijing. The Tour was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and took place from 8 to 10 April. The delegation visited Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, which is a prime hub for economic, technological, financial and cultural activities in China. A brief visit was also made to Dujiangyan city, a top tourism centre, where one of the habitats for giant pandas is located. Other activities included presentations by a number of leading business entities in Sichuan, such as the D**gfang Electric Corporation which provides integrated solutions in the areas of global energy, transportation, environmental protection, and infrastructure development.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

On 16th March, H.E. Ambassador Paulette Bethel and her diplomatic staff, hosted the Bahamian Diaspora in Beijing to another ‘Meet and Greet’ in the new Chancery in Liangmaqiao Diplomatic Compound. The nationals heard two guest speakers: Lawyer Sam Liao on immigration rules and regulations and Bahamian Dr. Shannon Evans on ‘Adjusting to life in China’. After the presentations the nationals engaged in lively discussions and enjoyed the Bahamian food that was provided by the Embassy. You missed it if you were not there!

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

On 14 March, H.E. Paulette Bethel met with Mr. Pei Yan, Deputy General Manager and Senior Engineer of the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and other representatives of the company. Mr. Pei presented a brief outline of the CRBC’s work which includes infrastructural development projects such as the construction of roads, bridges, ports and airports. Ambassador Bethel had a similar encounter, a few months earlier, with Mr. Song Wentao, Chairman and other representatives of Second Harbour Consultants Co. Ltd., which includes in its offerings, projects related to carbon capture, costal treatments, mangrove protection and preservation of wetlands. Both CRBC and Second Harbour Consultants are subsidiaries of the China Construction Communications Company (CCCC), a global “Fortune 500” company.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

On Wednesday, 13 March, H.E. Paulette Bethel, Ambassador of The Bahamas participated, as a panelist, at a networking event hosted by the Ambassador of Canada, H.E. Jennifer May, in honour of International Women’s Day. The theme of the event was “Women’s Leadership and Inclusion”. Participants included Ambassadors and representatives of the diplomatic corps and international organizations, Chinese government officials, business representatives and others. Other panelists were H.E. Jennifer May; Ms. Lyu Hailin, former President of the United Nations Women’s International Forum; and Ms. Jessica Zhang, Director of Today Art Museum.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

On 12 March, Ambassador Bethel, along with six other Caribbean Ambassadors and the Head of Haiti’s Trade and Commercial Office, participated in a promotional event for Chinese businesses that garnered well over seventy participants. The event, organized by the Caucus of Caribbean Ambassadors in Beijing was designed to convey to the guests the contours of the upcoming “Caribbean Culture Day” on 18 May, and to solicit their support. This will be the second “Caribbean Culture Day”, in as many years, that provides a totally immersive experience for participants who include Chinese government officials, diplomatic representatives, business representatives, the Caribbean diaspora and local residents. The event provides participants with the opportunity to learn more about the Caribbean countries on all levels - culture, history, cuisine, products, and investment opportunities. Last year, the event attracted over 400 participants, and an even larger participation is anticipated this year.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

The opening of the Second Plenary Session of the Fourteenth National Committee of the People’s Political Consultative Conference of China (NCCPPCC) and the opening of Second Plenary Session of the Fourteenth National People’s Congress (NPC) of the People’s Republic of China took place on 4 and 5 March, respectively, at the Great Hall of the People. These annual meetings are generally referred to as the “Two Sessions”, which are major events in China’s political cycle. The foreign diplomatic corps is invited to attend the opening ceremony of each Session. Ambassador Bethel attended each of the two opening ceremonies accompanied by Ms. Julie Campbell, Minister and Mr. Paul Clare, Second Secretary, respectively.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

The Ambassador and Staff of the Embassy of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in Beijing celebrated 242 Day. This day is symbolic of The Bahamas area code and a day to display Bahamian pride.

巴哈马驻华大使和工作人员共同庆祝了242日。这一天象征着巴哈马国家区号，也是巴哈马人展示自豪感的一天


Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas
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The Embassy of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in Beijing has launched its Official WeChat Page.

Scan the QR Code below to follow!

On the 23rd of November, 2023, the Ambassador and staff of the Embassy of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in Beijing held a “soft opening” for the New Bahamas Chancery. H.E. Mr. Cai Wei, Director-General of the Latin American and Caribbean Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Ambassadors and representatives from a number of countries, as well as guests from other sectors participated in the event.

H.E. Ms. Paulette Bethel, Ambassador of The Bahamas to China, made brief remarks warmly welcoming the guests and thanking them for their support on this special occasion. In her remarks, she noted, inter alia, that the expansion of the Embassy premises is, “symbolic of the ever-growing relations between The Bahamas and China.” The Ambassador invited the guests to a toast to mark the occasion, after which there was a small reception.

On display at the New Chancery are numerous Bahamian items, including small Junkanoo pieces, conch shells, straw works, and books, as well as some Bahamian products such as beers, sodas, and jams. Some of the Chancery’s walls are decorated with paintings by Bahamian artists and other images of many beautiful scenes in The Bahamas. Also on view are pictures from an Exhibit depicting the history of the Chinese in The Bahamas, which was showcased earlier this year to mark the Twenty-sixth Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between The Bahamas and China.

The New Chancery exudes the vibrancy and lively culture of The Bahamas, along with the friendly, warm, and welcoming nature of its people.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

H.E. Ambassador Paulette Bethel attended the 2023 World Internet Conference held on November 8th to 10th in Wuzhen, China.

This year theme was, "Creating an inclusive and resilient digital world beneficial to all; building a community with a shared future in cyberspace."

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

At the 16th China-LAC Business Summit held in Beijing on November 2nd to 3rd. Mr. Philip Galanis, Chairman of The Bahamas Trade Commission, and Senator Darron S. Pickstock delivered speeches at various forums along with other representatives from Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

Scene of The Bahamas booth from the 16th China-LAC Business Summit held in Beijing on November 2nd to 3rd. The booth had different popular attraction from The Bahamas such as the Swimming Pigs, Junkanoo, snorkelling, and shark diving scenes.

Videos showcasing different islands of The Bahamas played on the television for guest to enjoy and samples of Kalik beer and Goombay Punch sodas were given.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas