Forward Upward, Onward Together

Radcliffe Nichols Jr., The Commonwealth of the Bahamas

王天龙,巴哈马联邦

The Bahamas consists of 16 main islands and countless more islets and cays, scattered like pearls across 250,000 sq km of pristine turquoise waters. This island nation consists of stunning beaches and offers the third largest Barrier reef globally, an abundance of untouched nature, and unique biodiversity. These unique, beautiful  scenery and environment constitute a truly worthy tourist destination.

The Islands of the Bahamas

巴哈马群岛

巴哈马群岛由16个主要岛屿和无数小岛及珊瑚礁组成，像珍珠一样散布在250000平方公里的原始绿松石水域。这个岛国拥有诸多美丽的海滩，拥有全球第三大堡礁、丰富的原始自然风光和独特的生物多样性。这些独有的美丽景色和环境构成了真正有价值的旅游目的地。

Nassau/Paradise Island

拿骚/天堂岛

Being from the nation's hub and capital, Nassau, located on New Providence Island, where most people live and visit, makes me appreciate my country for its diversity.

拿骚位于新普罗维登斯岛，是国家的中心和首都，大多数人居住和游览这里，我对我的国家的风光和物产的多样性感到荣耀，自豪。

I came to China in August of 2013. Before I journeyed to China, I voluntarily resigned from my job, used my savings to register at Beijing Union University, and bought a plane ticket straight to Beijing. Nine years later, I have never regretted my decision. Beijing was my first and only city to live, work and study. Currently, I am an entrepreneur and educator based in Beijing.

Graduation Day, Beijing Union University, 2018

2018年北京联合大学毕业典礼

我是2013年8月来到中国的。我辞去当时的工作，用我的积蓄申请注册北京联合大学学籍，买了一张直飞北京的机票。九年来，我从未后悔我当时的决定。北京是我在中国第一个也是唯一一个居住、工作和学习的城市。目前，我不仅在北京市朝阳区凯文学校当四年级的班主任，我还是一名创业者。

On May 23, 1997, the People's Republic of China and the Commonwealth of Bahamas established diplomatic relations, for the past 25 years, they have maintained sound bilateral relations. Currently, the Chinese government has an embassy operating in Nassau, which is located on my home island of New Providence. The bilateral relations between the Bahamas and China have resulted in a boost in Chinese investments in the Bahamas and an increase in young Bahamian talent in China. Under the understanding of mutual benefits for both regions, youth are offered opportunities to study abroad in China. China has provided lots of scholarships to students interested in studying abroad to support and help them study and work in China.

中华人民共和国和巴哈马1997年5月23日建交，25年来，一直保持着良好的双边关系。中国政府在位于我家乡新普罗维登斯岛的拿骚开设了大使馆。巴哈马和中国之间的双边关系促进了中国在巴哈马的投资，也增加了巴哈马年轻人才在中国的数量。在双方互利的理解下，青年人有机会到中国留学。中国为有兴趣来华留学的学生提供了大量奖学金，支持和帮助他们在中国学习和工作。

Several Bahamian youths have taken the chance to leave their homes in search of better education, to learn international expertise and further the development of their country. Additionally, the youth also assist in ensuring that Chinese investors in the Bahamas are treated fairly and given an opportunity to expand their businesses. The Bahamian youth of today's workforce are making a conscientious effort to help strengthen relations between both countries and are actively thinking of new ways they can help both countries grow. The Bahamas is a young nation filled with a deep hunger to thrive. Thus far, the Bahamas has done an exceptional job in marketing our islands as one of the top global destination locations, with an average of 2 million international tourists a year visiting the island.

BEIJING, China – Former Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie, first row, centre, met Bahamian international students, 2015

2015年在北京，巴哈马前总理佩里·克里斯蒂(前排中)会见巴哈马留学生

几名巴哈马青年利用这个机会离开家乡，来到中国寻求更好的教育，学习国际专业知识，推动国家发展。此外，这些年轻人还帮助确保中国投资者在巴哈马得到公平对待，拓展业务。如今的巴哈马青年正在为加强两国关系做出认真的努力，并积极思考帮助两国发展的新方法。巴哈马是一个渴望繁荣的年轻国家。到目前为止，巴哈马群岛在作为全球顶级旅游目的地之一进行的营销方面做得非常出色，平均每年有200万国际游客前往该岛。

On December 19, 2013, the People's Republic of China and The Commonwealth of The Bahamas signed a Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement, which has been in effect in both countries since February 12, 2014. This agreement allows a Bahamian citizen holding a valid Diplomatic, Official, Ordinary, or Children's passport and a Chinese citizen holding a valid Diplomatic, Service, Public Affairs, or Ordinary passport to travel to the other's country, visa-free, for up to 30 days, but does not allow the holder to engage in gainful employment, to study, or to reside in either country. With these established relations between China and the Bahamas, we look forward to an increasing number of Chinese visitors as the two country's diplomatic ties strengthen.

Chinese former Vice Foreign Minister Xie Hangsheng (second from left) and Bahamas Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell sign the Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement between the Government of The Bahamas and the Government of the People’s Republic of China as former Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas Yuan Guisen (seated first from left) looks on. 

中国外交部前副部长谢航生(左二)和巴哈马外交移民部长弗雷德·米切尔在中国前驻巴哈马大使袁桂森(左一)的见证下，签署《巴哈马政府和中华人民共和国政府互免签证协议》。

2013年12月19日，中华人民共和国和巴哈马联邦签署了互免签证协议，该协议自2014年2月12日起在两国生效。本协议允许持有有效外交、官方、普通或儿童护照的巴哈马公民和持有有效外交、公务、公共事务或普通护照的中国公民免签证前往对方国家旅行30天，但不允许持有人从事有酬工作、学习或在任何一个国家居住。随着中国与巴哈马之间关系的建立，我们期待着随着两国外交关系的加强，越来越多的中国游客前来参观。

Being in China has helped me grow in both my profession as an entrepreneur and as an educator. I have learned so much through networking and working along with companies to help expand not only my business but the businesses of others. As an educator, I'm constantly looking for ways to improve and gain a better understanding of my students, my craft, and the culture.

在中国的经历帮助我成长为一名企业家和一名教育工作者。通过与公司的合作，我学到了很多，不仅是我自己的生意，还有别人的生意。作为一名教育工作者，我一直在寻找改进的方法，更好地了解我的学生、我的专业和文化。

I've learned that it is important not to squander the opportunities I have available here in China but to instead use them for growth and experience. I plan to continue to improve in any way I can while helping as many others as I can achieve their own goals. Under the guidance of the Bahamian Motto: "Forward upward onward together," through hard work and dedication, I hope to help build a stronger bond between the Bahamas and China in any way I possibly can. May we strive to work together to achieve our fullest potential.

我明白了，重要的是不要浪费我在中国拥有的机会，而是要利用它们来成长和获得经验。我计划以任何方式继续改进，同时帮助尽可能多的其他人实现自己的目标。在巴哈马格言“共同向上前进”的指导下，我希望通过努力和奉献精神，尽我所能帮助巴哈马与中国建立更牢固的纽带。愿我们共同努力，充分发挥我们的潜力。