Huge Potential in Deepening China-Bahamas Mutually Beneficial Cooperation
深化中巴互利合作大有可为
Bahamas Media Publish a Signed Article by Ambassador Huang Qinguo
驻巴哈马大使黄亲国在巴主流媒体发表署名文章
29 March 2018
2018年3月29日
With the successful conclusion of the well-known “Two Sessions” of China (Annual legislative and political advisory sessions) on March 20th, 2018, the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era inaugurated a new journey. During the historic “Two Sessions”, the amended Constitution was adopted and the policies and objectives of China for the new era established by the 19th CPC National Congress were incorporated into the Constitution. The new leadership of China was elected and President Xi Jinping was elected as Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, which was a full reflection of the wholehearted support of the Chinese people. The “Two Sessions” approved the plan for a new round of structural reform of the government departments, which would reach unprecedented range and scope. The “Two Sessions” passed the Supervision Law and set up the National Supervisory Commission, which would extend the coverage of supervision to all civil servant. In general, the 2018 “Two Sessions” of China has not only demonstrated China’s confidence in marching toward the realization of its great dream of national rejuvenation, but also showed China’s open mind and readiness in shouldering its responsibilities in building a community of shared future for mankind.
3月20日，举世瞩目的中国“两会”胜利闭幕，这标志着新时代中国特色社会主义伟大事业开启了新的征程。这次历史性盛会审议通过了宪法修正案，以根本大法确认了中共十九大确立的新时代各项大政方针和目标；选举产生了新一届国家机构领导成员，习近平主席再次当选国家主席和中央军委主席，充分体现了中国人民对习近平主席的衷心拥戴。会议还审议通过了新一轮国家机构改革方案，改革力度之大，覆盖之广，前所未有；审议通过了国家监察法，设立了国家监察委员会，实现对所有行使公权力公职人员监察的“全覆盖”。2018年的中国“两会”，不仅展现了当今中国扬帆远航、实现伟大梦想的豪迈和自信，而且彰显了中国与世界各国携手构建人类命运共同体，为人类进步事业而奋斗的宽阔胸怀和大国担当。
I. China’s development instills strong confidence and momentum to the peace and development of the world.
一、中国的发展为世界和平与发展注入强大信心与力量
During the 2018 “Two Sessions”, the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivered a report on the work of the government, which elaborated China’s efforts and contribution to the world since 2013.
在今年的“两会”上，中国国务院总理李克强在政府工作报告中阐述了过去五年中国所做的努力和对世界的贡献。
Over the past five years, China’s economic strength has reached a new high. China’s GDP has registered an average annual growth of 7.1% and its share in the global economy has grown from 11.4% to roughly 15%. China’s contribution to global economic growth has exceeded 30%. More than 66 million new urban jobs have been added. More than 68 million people have been lifted out of poverty, and the poverty headcount ratio has dropped from 10.2 to 3.1%. China is a major contributor for global poverty reduction with the contribution of over 70%.
五年来，中国经济实力跃上新台阶。国内生产总值年均增长7.1%，占世界经济比重从11.4%提高到15%左右，对世界经济增长贡献率超过30%。城镇新增就业6600万人以上，贫困人口减少6800多万，贫困发生率由10.2%下降到3.1%，是全球减贫事业的主要贡献者，贡献率超过70%。
Over the past five years, China’s innovation-driven development has yielded fruitful outcomes. China’s investment in research and development (R&D) has grown at an average annual rate of 11%, ranking second in the world in scale. In areas such as manned spaceflight, deep-water exploration, quantum communications and large passenger plane development, China has achieved remarkable outcome of innovation. In high-speed rail, e-commerce, mobile payments and the sharing economy, China is leading the world. The Internet Plus model has permeated every industry and every field.
五年来，中国创新驱动发展成果丰硕。全社会研发投入年均增长11%，规模跃居世界第二位。载人航天、深海探测、量子通信、大飞机等重大创新成果不断涌现。高铁网络、电子商务、共享经济等引领世界潮流。“互联网+”广泛融入各行各业。
Over the past five years, with a commitment to its fundamental policy of opening up, China has focused on promoting win-win cooperation and significantly improved the performance of its open economy. China has launched and worked with other countries under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China initiated the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, set up the Silk Road Fund, and launched a number of major connectivity and economic and trade cooperation initiatives. China has moved forward with international cooperation on production capacity. High-speed rail, nuclear power, and other types of Chinese equipment have entered international markets. The RMB was included in the IMF’s Special Drawing Rights basket.
五年来，中国坚持对外开放的基本国策，着力实现合作共赢，开放型经济水平显著提升。倡导和推动共建“一带一路”，发起创办亚投行，设立丝路基金，一批重大互联互通、经贸合作项目落地。推进国际产能合作，高铁、核电等装备走向世界。人民币加入国际货币基金组织特别提款权货币篮子。
Over the past five years, China has pursued distinctively Chinese major country diplomacy on all fronts. China successfully hosted the first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, the 22nd APEC Economic Leaders Meeting, the G20 Hangzhou Summit, the BRICS Xiamen Summit, and other major diplomatic events at home. President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders have visited many countries and attended major events including United Nations Summits, Climate Change Conferences, World Economic Forum meetings, and the East Asian Leaders Meetings on Cooperation. China’s diplomatic agenda has been further advanced on every front. China’s diplomatic actions show that the Chinese people in the new era will as always work tirelessly with the people of all other nations for the peace and development of the world, and will always work for world peace, contribute to global development, and uphold the international order.
五年来，中国特色大国外交全面推进。成功举办首届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛、亚太经济合作组织领导人非正式会议、二十国集团领导人杭州峰会、金砖国家领导人厦门会晤等重大主场外交。习近平主席等国家领导人出访多国，出席联合国系列峰会、气候变化大会、世界经济论坛、东亚合作领导人系列会议等重大活动。中国的行动表明，新时代的中国人民将与各国人民一道，一如既往为世界的和平与发展汇聚力量，始终不渝做世界和平的建设者、全球发展的贡献者、国际秩序的维护者。
II. Joint building of the “Belt and Road” will open a new chapter for the China-LAC mutually beneficial cooperation.
二、共建“一带一路”将开启中拉互利合作新篇章
As a natural extension of the 21st century maritime Silk Road, the LAC region is indispensable to the development of the Belt and Road Initiative. This initiative has gained wide attention and responses from LAC countries. In January this year, the Second Ministerial Meeting of China-CELAC Forum realized another transoceanic handshake between China and LAC in the new era. This meeting has consolidated the consensus of unity and cooperation. The meeting adopted three outcome documents including the Declaration of Santiago, Joint Action Plan of China-LAC Cooperation (Priority Areas) (2019-2021) and Special Statement on the Belt and Road Initiative and formed a broad consensus on joint construction of BRI. These documents mainly reflected the clear wills of the two sides to deepen cooperation and seek common development in the new stage. This meeting has provided new ideas and inject fresh vitality for China-LAC comprehensive cooperative partnership.
拉美是21世纪海上丝绸之路的“自然延伸”，是“一带一路”建设不可或缺的重要参与方。共建“一带一路”国际合作的倡议日益受到拉美国家各界的关注和响应。在今年1月举行的中拉论坛第二届部长级会议实现了中拉新时代跨越大洋的又一次牵手。此次会议凝聚了团结合作的共识，通过了《圣地亚哥宣言》、《中国与拉美和加勒比国家合作（优先领域）共同行动计划（2019-2021）》和《“一带一路”特别声明》3份成果文件，形成了共建“一带一路”的广泛共识，集中反映了中拉双方深化合作、同谋发展的明确意愿。这次会议为中拉全面合作伙伴关系提供新的理念，注入新的活力。
The Belt and Road is a transparent initiative launched by China. It follows the “golden rule” of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, which proved that the Belt and Road cooperation is equal-footed, inclusive and beneficial to all. In May 2017, the representatives from more than 140 countries participated in the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. The turnout is a clear vote of confidence from the international community. To date, more than 80 countries and international organizations have signed BRI agreements with China. A large number of BRI projects are well underway and making great contribution to local economic and social development of partner countries.
“一带一路”是中国政府提出的阳光倡议，共商、共建、共享的“黄金法则”反映了“一带一路”合作具有鲜明的平等性、开放性和普惠性。2017年5月，140多个国家的代表出席“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛，这是国际社会对“一带一路”投出的“信任票”和“支持票”。迄今已有80多个国家和国际组织与中方签署了共建“一带一路”合作协议，一大批合作项目正在全面推进，有力地促进了当地经济社会的发展。
China and Latin American countries are all developing countries. Based on the common interests and mutual needs, the cooperation between the two sides upholds the concept of equality and mutual benefit, openness and inclusiveness, and win-win results. During the last five years, President Xi Jinping has visited Latin America and the Caribbean three times, taking in ten countries. Our cooperation has deepened, expanded and moved up the value chain. China has become the second largest trading partner and the third largest export market of Latin America. The trade between China and LAC reached USD 260 billion in 2017, up by 18.8%. China has invested over USD 200 billion to LACs, taking it as the second largest overseas investment destination. According to the International Labor Organization, between 1995 and 2016, Chinese enterprises created 1.8 million jobs in LAC. China and LAC cooperation has brought tangible benefits to both peoples.
中国和拉美国家同为发展中国家，双方的合作基于共同利益和相互需求，秉持的是平等互利、开放包容、合作共赢的理念。过去5年，习近平主席三次踏上拉美大陆，足迹遍及10个拉美国家。中拉合作不断拓展深化，提质升级，中国已成为拉美地区第二大货物贸易伙伴和第三大出口市场，2017年中拉贸易额近2600亿美元，同比增长18.8%。中国对拉美累计直接投资超过2000亿美元，是中国海外投资的第二大目的地。据国际劳工组织统计，1995年至2016年间，中国企业在拉美创造了180多万个就业岗位。中拉合作给双方人民带来了实实在在的好处。
As the Chinese saying goes, “nothing, not even mountains or oceans, can separate those with a shared goal”. The vast Pacific Ocean binds us together, making us partners in cooperation, whatever may stand between us. In our future cooperation, China and its regional partners will jointly build a greater connectivity integrating land and ocean, cultivate big markets featuring openness and mutual benefit, forge independent and advanced large-scale industries, seize the great opportunities of innovation and growth and conduct large-scale exchanges with equality and mutual trust under the BRI. Both sides will forge a new pattern of cooperation featuring broader field, superior structure, stronger impetus and better quality.
中国古人云：“志合者，不以山海为远”。宽广的太平洋正把中拉双方联接在一起，成为跨越万水千山的合作伙伴。在未来的合作中，中拉双方将在“一带一路”倡议下共同建设陆洋一体的大联通，培育开放互利的大市场，打造自主先进的大产业，抓住创新增长的大机遇，开展平等互信的大交流，打造领域更宽、结构更优、动力更强、质量更好的中拉合作新局面。
III. China-Bahamas cooperation enjoys huge potential and a bright prospect.
三、深化中巴互利合作大有可为，前景广阔
As an important country in the Caribbean region, The Bahamas has advantages in terms of geography and natural resources. Over the past 20 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-Bahamas friendship and cooperation have made considerable progress, with bilateral mutual political trust strengthened, economic and trade cooperation deepened and cultural exchanges enhanced. China-Bahamas trade cooperation has become closer and closer and the Bahamian delegation attends the Canton Fair every year. Remarkable achievement has been made in carrying out major joint projects. The Baha Mar Project has opened successfully and attracted a large number of tourists, created thousands of jobs and contributed to the economic growth of The Bahamas. The Thomas Robinson National Stadium built by China has boosted Bahamas’ capability in hosting international sports events and other important activities. With China’s assistance, the Nassau Airport Expressway and North Abaco Port Project have updated the infrastructure of The Bahamas. Lately, Dr. the Honorable Hubert Minnis, Prime Minister of The Bahamas, delivered a national address and elaborated the policies and measures of the new government in promoting economy, improving livelihood and upgrading government management. I wish the implementation of these policies will effectively promote the social and economic development of The Bahamas and at the same time, create more space and potential for our future cooperation between China and The Bahamas.
作为加勒比地区重要的国家，巴哈马具有地理和资源等方面的优势。中国与巴哈马建交20多年来，两国的友好合作关系取得了长足的发展，双方政治互信不断加强，经贸合作不断深化，人文交流日益增强。中巴两国双边贸易日渐频繁，每年都有巴哈马团组参加广交会；中巴合作项目成果斐然，巴哈玛项目顺利开业并带来大量的游客、就业和经济增长，国家体育场成为巴哈马举办国际赛事和重要活动的场所，机场高速路和北阿巴科码头等项目升级了巴哈马的基础设施。前不久，巴哈马总理明尼斯发表了全国电视讲话，阐述了巴新政府发展经济、改善民生、提升政府管理水平的一系列政策和措施，相信这些政策措施的实施将有力地促进巴哈马经济社会的发展，未来深化中巴互利合作的空间和潜力将更加巨大。
Firstly, we should continue to deepen political mutual trust and enhance coordination and cooperation in global and regional affairs. Although China and The Bahamas are separated by vast oceans and have different social systems, cultural backgrounds and national conditions, the two countries are both developing countries following similar development concepts and sharing extensive common interests. China is willing to further enhance high-level visits and exchanges between our governments, legislatures and political parties, and to exchange governance experiences with each other. We should upgrade cooperation mode under the existing framework like China-CELAC Forum. We should continue to support each other on major issues of common concern and strengthen political mutual trust, which will as always serve as the foundation of our bilateral relations. The two sides should enhance communication and coordination on issues including global economic governance, climate change and China-CELAC cooperation, so as to jointly build a harmonious and mutually beneficial community of common interests.
1. 深化政治互信，加强双边在地区和国际事务中的合作。中国与巴哈马虽然远隔重洋，社会制度、文化和国情不同，但双方同为发展中国家，有着许多相近的发展理念和广泛共同的利益。中国愿同巴哈马进一步加强两国高层交往以及政府、议会、政党等人员往来，加强治国理政经验交流，在中拉论坛等现有合作机制框架下深化合作模式，在双方共同关心的重大问题上继续相互理解、相互支持，使政治互信继续成为两国关系持续发展的基石。双方可就全球经济治理、应对气候变化、中拉整体合作等国际和地区问题加强沟通协调，打造和谐共赢的利益共同体。
Secondly, we should advance economic and trade cooperation and expand our cooperation to new fields. The economic structure of China and the Bahamas are complementary and the space for future cooperation is enormous. On the basis of the outcome of the Second Ministerial Meeting of China-CELAC Forum and the platform of the BRI, China is willing to deepen its cooperation with The Bahamas in areas such as infrastructure, information technology, agriculture and new energy, and expand bilateral trade and financial cooperation. In November 2018, the Chinese government will host the first China International Import Expo. We are glad that the government of The Bahamas and the Chamber of Commerce of The Bahamas will participate in the Expo. This Expo will not only facilitate our economic and trade cooperation, but also provide a good opportunity for The Bahamas to demonstrate its national image and advantages on this international platform.
2. 深化经贸合作，拓展双边互利合作的空间和领域。中巴经济互补性强，合作领域广阔。中国愿意在中拉论坛第二届部长级会议成果的基础上，以共建“一带一路”国际合作平台为依托，进一步推进双边在基础设施、信息技术、农业和新能源等领域的合作，扩大贸易和金融领域的合作。今年11月，中国政府将在上海举办首届中国国际进口博览会，巴哈马政府和巴哈马商会积极组团参展，这不仅有利于密切中巴的经贸交流与合作，也有利于巴哈马在国际舞台上展示国家形象和自身优势。
Thirdly, we should deepen people to people exchanges and promote our cooperation in the areas of culture, education, science and technology. As the ancient Chinese saying goes, “Amity between people holds the key to sound relations between states”. Friendly relations of our two countries are built on the basis of deepening people to people exchanges. In order to enhance understanding and friendship between the two peoples, the Chinese Government is willing to provide more scholarships and training opportunities to the Bahamians, support exchange and cooperation between think-tanks, academic institutions, experts and scholars, and encourage the exchange of visits of cultural, educational and art groups. In the year of 2018, in responding to the demand of the Bahamian Government, the Chinese Government will hold training programs in The Bahamas for the first time on themes of SMEs management and Argo-processing. The draft agreement on air services between the two countries has been approved by both competent government authorities and is expected to be signed officially within this year. The direct flight between China and The Bahamas will greatly facilitate the exchange of our two peoples and inject new vitality to the tourism of The Bahamas.
3. 深化人文交流，提升双边文化、教育、科技等领域合作的水平。国之交在于民之亲，深化双边人文交流是提升两国友好关系的基础。中国将继续提供政府奖学金和更多的培训机会，支持两国智库、学术研究机构、专家学者、青年学生开展交流合作，鼓励支持双边文化、教育、艺术团组互访，增进两国人民的了解和友谊。2018年，根据巴哈政府的要求，中国政府将派遣专家首次在巴哈马举办培训班，为巴培训中小企业管理、农产品加工等方面的人员。中巴直航协议文本已经双方政府有关部门审定，可望年内签署，中巴直航的开启将为两国人民的往来提供极大便利，也将为繁荣巴哈马的旅游业注入新的活力。
I believe, with joint efforts of both sides, the cooperation between China and The Bahamas will certainly enjoy a brighter future, bring about more fruitful outcome and our bilateral relations will be elevated to a new level.
我相信，通过双方的共同努力，深化中巴合作的前景必将更加广阔，合作成果将更加丰富，两国友好关系的发展也将迈上新的台阶。