NASSAU, BAHAMAS- China’s Ambassador to The Bahamas, Her Excellency Yan Jiarong, has rejected any notion that Beijing’s growing presence in the Caribbean is part of a geopolitical agenda, stating that its cooperation with The Bahamas is based on friendship, mutual development, and shared history—not confrontation or exclusion.
“This kind of relationship and this kind of cooperation is not targeted at any third party,” the ambassador said following the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum. “It’s not attempting to exclude anyone from this kind of partnership. We want to make friends with The Bahamas and also to do business—with respect, openness, and mutual benefit,” she told Eyewitness News.
Ambassador Yan described the forum—established 10 years ago—as a symbol of how China and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have built a platform of “mutually beneficial cooperation based on equality.”
She emphasized the significance of Chinese President Xi Jinping personally addressing the forum and hosting a luncheon for participating delegations. “That shows the importance China places on this relationship,” she said, adding that she was pleased to see Bahamian Ministers Alfred Sears and Dr. Michael Darville among the attendees. “It shows that The Bahamas attaches great importance to this relationship, and China deeply values that.”
Ambassador Yan drew a strong connection between China and Caribbean nations as members of the Global South with shared struggles and aspirations.
“For China, the Latin America and Caribbean countries and China—both sides—we are from the Global South,” she said. “We share a very similar historic experience, including colonialization, and we share now the same priority: development and improving the livelihood of our peoples.”
Highlighting China’s respect for The Bahamas’ sovereignty and independence in foreign relations, she stated: “China fully understands and supports the endeavors of The Bahamas to diversify its partners and to strengthen regional and sub-regional ties.”
“We just want to be one of these partners,” she added. “We have a lot to discuss, to share experiences, and also to help each other.”
The ambassador also reinforced that China’s presence in the Caribbean is not conditional or coercive. “We are not here to make demands,” she said. “China wants to be a partner that listens, supports, and grows together with The Bahamas.”
As global discussions intensify around superpower competition and spheres of influence, China’s message—delivered through Ambassador Yan—is that its focus remains squarely on development, solidarity, and long-term cooperation.
“We do value our partnership and our friendship with The Bahamas,” she said. “We believe this relationship will continue to flourish—not because of politics, but because of the shared values and goals that unite us.”
With its hand extended in cooperation, China is positioning itself not as a rival in the region, but as a partner with a shared stake in the future of The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean.
