Days after U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Kimberly Furnish urged The Bahamas to resist China’s “malign” influence, Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas, Yan Jiarong, defended China’s involvement in the region. Ambassador Yan stressed that China’s partnerships with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, including The Bahamas, come with no strings attached.
“We do not engage in exclusive circles, geopolitical competition, or bloc confrontation,” Ambassador Yan asserted. She emphasized that China does not ask countries to take sides and welcomes other nations to invest and work on projects that benefit the people of The Bahamas. Yan further argued that the world has ample space for all countries to thrive together, and that both China and The Bahamas have the right to make independent decisions regarding their partnerships and development paths.
The ambassador also highlighted that China’s cooperation respects The Bahamas’ sovereignty and does not impose political conditions. She pointed out that this partnership has been well-received by both the Bahamian government and its people.
Referencing a Nassau Guardian editorial, Yan echoed the sentiment that there’s nothing wrong with The Bahamas and its Caribbean neighbors deepening ties with China, just as the U.S. has done. She pointed out that trade between the U.S. and China exceeds $680 billion, and over 70,000 American companies are invested in China.
The ambassador’s comments came in response to remarks made by Furnish at the Grand Bahama Business Outlook, where she criticized China for making large promises but delivering little. Additionally, the U.S. Congress had sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging a high-level delegation to attend the 48th CARICOM meeting, citing concerns over China’s influence in the region.
Rejecting the notion that China’s presence in The Bahamas and the region is malign, Yan stated that China is a “doer,” with numerous investments and contributions to The Bahamas. She cited the construction of the Thomas Robinson National Stadium, financed by China, and the ongoing renovation work by a Chinese company. China’s concessional loans helped build the Nassau Airport Gateway and the North Abaco port, while Chinese enterprises were involved in constructing Baha Mar, the Pointe, and British Colonial in Nassau.
Ambassador Yan also highlighted China’s growing investments across Latin America and the Caribbean, noting that China has been Latin America’s second-largest trading partner since 2012. By the end of 2023, China’s direct investment in the region totaled over $600 billion, making it the second-largest destination for China’s overseas investments. She emphasized that China’s partnerships with Latin America and the Caribbean are based on mutual benefit, with no strings attached, ensuring tangible gains for local populations.
In closing, Yan reaffirmed that China’s approach to cooperation with The Bahamas and the wider region focuses on aligning with local needs and delivering practical benefits without political interference.
