NASSAU, Bahamas - The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China are strengthening ties on a number of levels, heightened by the visit of His Excellency Yikang Jiang, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China from November 15 to 17, 2009. 

Mr Yikang is also Secretary of the CPC Standing Provincial Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of Shandong Provincial People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China. 

He was greeted by the Hon Brent Symonette, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Hu Dingxian, Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas, and other officials when he arrived at the Lynden Pindling International Airport on Sunday. 

The Bahamas was part of a three-nation tour for him. He also visited Mexico and Cuba. The purpose of his visit was to enhance relations and a better understanding between both countries diplomatically and politically.  

Mr Yikang also paid courtesy calls on the Rt Hon Hubert Ingraham, Prime Minister; the Hon Lynn Holowesko, President of the Senate; and the Hon Alvin Smith, and Speaker of the House of Assembly. 

Mr Yikang, 56, was born in Zhaoyuan City in Shandong Province, home to the company which is building the national stadium at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre. 

Mr Symonette said it was a pleasure to welcome Mr Yikang to The Bahamas, the third Chinese official to visit this year. His Excellency Hui Liangyu, Vice Premier in the State Council visited in February; and His Excellency Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China, in September. 

Mr Symonette said The Bahamas will be participating in Shanghai Expo 2010, which features the culture of Caribbean nations. 

President of the Senate Mrs Holowesko said athletes from a small country like The Bahamas proved that they can excel in the world. So, the “marvellous gift” of the national stadium “takes on greater significance,” she said. 

As climate change is a concern for The Bahamas, it is interested in the advances China has made in the use of renewable sources of energy, Mrs. Holowesko said. 

The Bahamas is also interested in learning more about China’s rich cultural heritage culture, she added. 

Mr Yikang said China “is deeply moved” by the level of cooperation between it and The Bahamas and that his visit sought to further cement such relations. 

Although both countries are far apart geographically, he said, the growing friendship is reflected by the high level visits of Chinese officials, and mutual cooperation in tourism, culture, and the economy. 

China appreciates that The Bahamas has been adhering to the ‘One China’ policy, which states that the People’s Republic of China is the sole legitimate government of China, established in 1992, he said. 

The Government of The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China established diplomatic relations with the signing of a Joint Communiqué on May 23, 1997.