Executives of the Bahamas China Friendship Association are pictured with the Ambassador of China, Yuan Guisen, at the association’s Annual General Meeting Sept. 19, at the Balmoral Club. Pictured from left: Se. Joseph Curry, founding president; Lloyd Wong, trustee; Anthony McKinney, past president; Gena Gibbs, public relations director; Anthony Capron, president; Ambassador Yuan; Andy Gomez, trustee; Kevin Simmons, trustee and Philip Simon, immediate past president. Missing are: Denise Dorsette, vice president, Aaron Brice, treasurer and LaPaige Gardiner, secretary.

Nassau, Bahamas –The Bahamas China Friendship Association ratified its incoming officers for the year 2014-2015, naming Anthony Capron as the new president at the Annual General Meeting, Sept. 19, at the Balmoral Club.

Also ratified were Denise Dorsette, vice president; Aaron Brice, treasurer; LaPaige Gardiner, secretary; Gena Gibbs, public relations director. The trustees are: Lloyd Wong, Andy Gomez and Kevin Simmons.

Ambassador of China to The Bahamas Yuan Guisen was also in attendance at the AGM, which was moderated by Sen. Joseph Curry, founding president.

Incoming president Anthony Capron thanked the membership for their confidence and sought their help in guiding the organisation. He noted that after 10 years the aims and objectives of the BCFA are still the same and that “much has happened that warrants we forge a closer link with the People’s Republic of China.”

Mr. Capron reminded the audience of the gift from China of the new Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium and the development by Baha Mar that is transforming the Cable Beach Strip.

"New roads have been put in, new hotels are being built, a new golf course and many other amenities are on the way. When the work there is completed at the end of this year, and the hotels are open for business, the Cable Beach Strip will be nothing like we remember."

He also highlighted that the new airport gateway has made a considerable difference in the traffic flow to and from the Lynden Pindling International Airport. He said that all of these projects are because of the influence and help from the People’s Republic of China.

"Mr. Ambassador, we, The Bahamas China Friendship Association and the Bahamian people generally thank you and value your friendship, a bond that we look forward to making even stronger as we continue to promote friendship, goodwill and people-to-people contact between both countries," said Mr. Capron.

Mr. Capron reflected on the early history of Sino Bahamian relations that has grown into a bond of global trust and friendship.

"When the association started 10 years ago The Bahamas and China were then enjoying seven years of diplomatic relations. The number of Bahamians who had been to mainland China at that point could be easily counted. That is not so today as more and more Bahamians continue to visit the PRC," said Mr. Capron.

"They go there to conduct business, visit trade shows, to study at Chinese institutions and some just to vacation. And that tells me, that we in the association need to do more, than we have been doing to grow this organisation."

Mr. Capron said that in the past 17 years, The Bahamas-China relationship has grown from strength to strength, witnessed by the high-level exchanges between the leadership of the two countries. He said that current Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie and former Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham have both been to China.

"In The Bahamas, we often boast that the United States of America – the number one world superpower – is our next-door neighbour, geographically, and our friend. However, we cannot overlook that, although many more miles away and on the other side of the world, China is the considered number two superpower in the world and is also our friend," said Mr. Capron.

"And, in that regard, I think that we in The Bahamas can avail ourselves of that friendship in the further expansion and maintenance of the country’s infrastructure and economic development."

Mr. Capron explained the ambition of China, as a country of 1.3 billion people. He said that the smallest cities in the People’s Republic of China consist of millions of people and, in some cases, the number of people living on two or three city blocks, could easily total the population of the entire Bahamas.

"Given that scenario it would be wise for the Bahamian Government to seek the cooperation of the Chinese in determining the needs of the Bahamas Electricity Corporation in the generation of power, for New Providence in particular, and for the country generally, whether that be by traditional means or by solar," said Mr. Capron.

"Ladies and gentlemen, China has a dream. That dream includes restoring the nation to the position it had in the world almost 200 years ago -- a road it has been on now for the past 65 years, which is an occasion that will be celebrated a week fromSunday. The dream also includes that all its people have a happy and prosperous life."

Mr. Capron said that The Bahamas is not unlike China, in dreaming for prominence among its contemporaries, and a happy and peaceful existence for all the citizens. He also pointed out that while the dreams of China and The Bahamas may have been born from different conditions and situations, they both seek the same end.

Mr. Capron posed that it would make sense for the dreamers to talk to each other and seek the means to make those dreams reality

"Ladies and gentlemen, going forward into the second 10 years, we in the Bahamas-China Friendship Association will seek to further our ties with the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries by embarking on a sister city relationship," said Mr. Capron.

"This move was initiated by immediate past president, Philip Simon, at the 2010 Friendship Forum held in Jianxi, China, which followed the China International Friendship Cities Conference in Shanghai."

Mr. Capron said Past President Simon told that gathering that “true friends make each other better” and that in the meaning of true friendship, there is an understanding and acceptance of who we are as a people, and as individual persons. He quoted President Simon as saying, "our similarities are far greater than our differences."

"And so ladies and gentlemen that is where we are tonight in the Bahamas China Friendship Association and that is where we will be going forward," said Mr. Capron.

"Again, I thank the members for the confidence they have reposed in me to lead in furthering the aims and objectives of this organisation."

Past President Philip Simon also thanked supporters for coming to the AGM and asked everyone to join in and enjoy the reception.

"I would wish to thank all who attended tonight’s AGM and Reception. For me, it was a pleasure to serve and I remain fully committed to the goals and objectives of The Association," said Mr. Simon.

"The BCFA has come a long way over the past 10 years and there is much potential yet to be fulfilled. Our relations with China moving forward cannot be over or under-stated," said Mr Simon.

"As such, the continued pursuit of our mission and mandate over the next 10 years will only serve to bring our countries closer together in deepening our bond and goodwill."