His Excellency Yuan Guisen, Resident Ambassador of The People’s Republic of China to The Bahamas and Madame Yang Hong paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Grand Bahama, Dr. Michael Darville on Thursday morning. Pictured from left:- Ambassador Yuan Guisen, Madame Yang Hong, Dr. Darville and Melvin Seymour, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Grand Bahama. (BIS Photos/Simon Lewis)

FREEPORT, Bahamas – Minister for Grand Bahama, Dr. Michael Darville, on February 13 officially welcomed Yuan Guisen, Resident Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China and Madame Yang Hong to Grand Bahama Island.

The Nassau based diplomat was making his first official visit to a Family Island since assuming his new position in late 2013. He paid a courtesy call on Dr. Darville at the Ministry for Grand Bahama, situated in the Harold DeGregory Complex on the Mall.

The recently appointed ambassador is a career diplomat of over 30 years, having served in European and Central Asian countries and the Republic of Ecuador. The Bahamas and China established diplomatic relations on May 23, 1997.

Welcoming the Ambassador and his party to Grand Bahama, Dr. Darville noted that while the countries are separated by great distance, a close friendship has been maintained throughout the years and relationships are looked forward to being strengthened in various areas such as trade, technical and cultural exchange, education and tourism.

“China’s contributions to the global community is commendable, and as their country evolves through its vast experience, wealth of knowledge and abundant resources, they continue to assist small island states such as The Bahamas, in their advancement,” he stated.

The Minister for Grand Bahama also touched on some of China’s most notable contributions to The Bahamas such as the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium and the Baha Mar project in New Providence, as well as the Freeport Container Port on Grand Bahama Island.

He further told Ambassador Yuan that his visit to Grand Bahama re-affirms China’s commitment to put forth efforts that seek to further develop friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries.

“As Minister for Grand Bahama, I am happy that His Excellency’s fact finding mission has led him to our shores, as Grand Bahama Island has so much to offer,” he said.

Dr. Darville advised that over the next three days the ambassador will visit with some of the principle stakeholder on the island, inclusive of the Grand Bahama Port Authority and the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce.

He is also scheduled to visit the industrial zone and get a first-hand experience of why Grand Bahama Island has established a first class reputation as a major maritime and trans-shipment centre.

The Minister held discussions with Ambassador Yuan for almost an hour, and was scheduled to continue the talks during a special reception on Thursday night.

On Thursday morning Dr. Darville focused on the benefits of the deep water harbour and transshipment terminal. He also drew attention to the ship repair facilities on the island, the positioning of two major oil terminals on Grand Bahama, the island’s abundance of fresh water and land available for agricultural needs.

Dr. Darville encouraged the ambassador to help sell Grand Bahama as a place for medical research, particularly in the area of Stem Cells.

Both he and the Chinese Ambassador informed that a team of eye doctors from China will be arriving in The Bahamas in March to offer free medical services to persons suffering from various eye ailments.

Ambassador Yuan said his decision to visit Grand Bahama first, was because he had heard of the island’s potential for growth and development. He advised Dr. Darville that as a diplomat, he is always in contact with Chinese businessmen who are looking for investment opportunities.

He invited Dr. Darville and his team at the Ministry for Grand Bahama to put a full list together of areas for potential investment on Grand Bahama that he can forward to other business people who may want to invest in Grand Bahama.

Dr. Darville said that “I strongly believe that there are immense opportunities for linkages between Grand Bahama Island and China, that if explored, can prove mutually beneficial for both our countries. We look forward to future discussions to move this island’s tourism, distribution, manufacturing and maritime sectors forward,” he stated.