NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not waste any time on Thursday to respond to the recent comments that were attributed to Haigang Yin, the Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of The People’s Republic of China who blasted the US for referring to its economic practices as predatory.
Earlier this week, a statement released by from the Office of the Press Secretary at the White House in Washington, DC, which was posted on the US Embassy’s Bahamas website, outlined that President Trump’s meeting with Caribbean leaders – scheduled for today – will reaffirm the United States’ strong friendship with and its commitment to these countries, and will also signal the importance of the Caribbean to the hemisphere.
The statement further outlined that the US President was looking forward to working with countries in the region to strengthen its security cooperation and counter China’s predatory economic practices.
In response, Haigang Yin, the Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of The People’s Republic of China told a local daily that the US was fabricating lies.
“Facing the fabricated lies and irresponsible accusation, we have faith in the people with whom rests the final judgement. We are confident that the Bahamian people and the government will not be misled,” Haigang Yin told the local daily.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said The Bahamas enjoys longstanding and excellent diplomatic and trade relations with both the United States and The People’s Republic of China.
“Diplomatic relations were established with the United States in 1973 and with The People’s Republic of China in 1997, and the Government of The Bahamas fully anticipates that it will continue to enjoy cordial and productive relations with both countries in the future,” the ministry said.
The Bahamas is among a group of Caribbean leaders invited to meet with today with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, Florida. Leaders of the Dominican Republic, the Republic of Haiti, Jamaica and Saint Lucia will also attend today’s meeting.
The leaders were invited to discuss President Trump’s vision for the US’ diverse relationships in the Caribbean and potential opportunities for energy investment and to strengthen security cooperation
The meeting will also give president Trump the opportunity to thank these countries for their support for peace and democracy in Venezuela, according to the White House press statement issued on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Minnis and senior government officials departed the capital on Thursday. He is expected to return to the capital on Saturday.
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