Bahamas News
PM Davis Lauds the ‘enduring friendship’ between The Bahamas and China, at Lunar New Year Celebration
By ERIC ROSE
Bahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas – During his remarks at the ‘China’s Lunar New Year 2025 Ceremony,’ held at the Margaritaville Beach Resort – Nassau, on January 23, 2025, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis noted that the Year of the Snake focused on an animal that was a symbol of wisdom, resilience, and transformation in their culture.
“The snake is known for its ability to shed its skin, representing the process of letting go of the old and embracing the new,” he said. “This reminds us to face challenges with foresight and creativity while seizing opportunities for growth and transformation.”
“The traditions of the Lunar New Year, from family reunions to vibrant cultural displays, highlight the richness of Chinese heritage and its global significance in fostering harmony and prosperity,” he added.
Among those present included Governor-General Her Excellency the Most Hon. Dame Cynthia Pratt; Cabinet Ministers and Parliamentarians; members of the Judiciary, the Diplomatic and Honorary Consular Corps; Mrs. Ann Marie Davis of the Office of the Spouse of the Prime Minister; Senior Public Servants; and members of the Chinese and Bahamian communities.
“Tonight, I would also like to celebrate the enduring friendship between The Bahamas and China,” Prime Minister Davis said. “As we welcome the new year, 2025 marks the 28th anniversary of diplomatic relations between us. Over these years, our partnership has grown stronger, grounded in mutual respect and collaboration.”
He added: “Thanks to the commitment of the Embassy of China in The Bahamas, our Government received additional support, both bilaterally and multilaterally, to promote The Bahamas’ overall development, and more specifically, with its advocacy for food resilience and security, climate adaptation, and the development of our blue economy.”
Prime Minister Davis noted that some of the projects attached to that support included the following:
China’s handover of materials and band equipment to The Bahamas’ Ministry of National Security; the strengthening of sister-city relations between Grand Bahama Island and Hunan Province; the refurbishment of the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium; capacity-building exercises in the areas of media, agriculture, tourism, and culture; the donation of supply tool kits to farmers in North Andros; technical assistance programmes to aid in the further development of Bahamian professionals and students; and
collaboration with the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) to establish a demonstration farm at the Gladstone Road Agricultural Centre (GRAC).
“I encourage all Bahamians to visit the farm – this demonstration farm at GRAC – to witness the positive results of China’s support to our food resilience and security efforts,” he said.
“Of course, the Chinese Embassy and the People’s Republic of China have provided support in many ways to our nation over the years, which is a testament to the length and depth of our ties as we partner on numerous developmental projects,” Prime Minister Davis added.
To the People’s Republic of China’s Ambassador to The Bahamas Her Excellency Yan Jiarong, Prime Minister Davis said that, on behalf of the Government and people of The Bahamas, he extended “our sincerest appreciation for the support received from your office and from the Government and people of China”.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership to realize beneficial outcomes in areas of mutual interest,” he said. “As you progress in your
distinguished tenure, which just started a little while ago, we anticipate the year ahead will be marked by further remarkable achievements and memorable experiences.
Prime Minister Davis added: “We also look forward to deepening and strengthening our bonds of friendship and cooperation. The Bahamas remains steadfast in its commitment to the One-China policy, reflecting our respect for China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We value this principle as a cornerstone of our bilateral relationship and remain intent on working with China to advance shared priorities both within our nations and on the global stage.”
To those present, Prime Minister Davis encouraged them to raise their glasses in a toast, as they all welcomed the Lunar New Year with “hope, with determination, and with a shared vision for a better tomorrow”.
“As the snake teaches us to adapt and renew, may our partnership continue to flourish and bring prosperity to our peoples,” he said.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of The Bahamas, I extend my warmest wishes to the Government and people of China for a year filled with health, happiness, and success,” Prime Minister Davis added.
“Happy Lunar New Year.”
PHOTO CAPTION
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis brings remarks at the China’s Lunar New Year 2025 Ceremony, held at the Margaritaville Beach Resort – Nassau, on January 23, 2025. Among those present included Governor-General Her Excellency the Most Hon. Dame Cynthia Pratt; Cabinet Ministers and Parliamentarians; members of the Judiciary, the Diplomatic and Honorary Consular Corps; Mrs. Ann Marie Davis of the Office of the Spouse of the Prime Minister; Senior Public Servants; and members of the Chinese and Bahamian communities.
(BIS Photos/Eric Rose)
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
