Nassau, The Bahamas — The People’s Republic of China, in the span of two decades, has transformed itself into an economic superpower the world can scarcely function without. This was one of the perspectives that added context to crucial conversations about the US-China outlook at the Central Banking Summit held at University of The Bahamas (UB) on Tuesday.

“China has gone from being, conceptually, a non-economy. It has gone from being a $2 trillion economy in 2000; today it is a $20 trillion economy. There has never been growth like that anywhere on the planet,” said Michael Drury, chief economist, McVean Trading.

In the Caribbean region and for The Bahamas, China has become both a critical link in the global supply chain and, at times, a financial partner when the price tag of major infrastructure projects proves difficult to carry alone.

During the summit, facilitated by UB’s Government and Public Policy Institute (GPPI) in partnership with the Global Interdependence Center (GIC), the outlook on US-China relations and how the world will be impacted was a key topic of discussion.

Drury appeared on a panel with Zhivargo Laing, Executive Director of UB’s GPPI. Both gave insight into China’s rapid economic rise and its growing influence over global manufacturing and trade.

“The wish was that China would become a capitalist democracy, and it was on its way there until President Xi Jinping took control of the country in 2012. [Xi] is a Marxist. When you are a Marxist, you believe capitalism will destroy itself,” Drury explained.

Drury, who also serves as an executive and assistant program director with the GlC, noted that the statistics surrounding China’s meteoric manufacturing expansion often evoke strong reactions when presented to audiences across the US.

“The solution for the United States in freeing itself from China’s manufacturing dominance is to find somewhere it can produce goods without depending on China. There is no such place on earth. China produces 30 percent of all manufactured goods,” he said.

The discussion also examined recent efforts by the US to reclaim manufacturing capacity and reverse trends Washington believes could compromise national security.

“The spoken goal of wanting to return manufacturing to the United States essentially means restoring enough production capacity to support national defence,” Drury explained. “The auto industry built the bombers and tanks during World War II. If you don’t have an auto industry, you don’t have an industry you can flip into national defence production.”

For The Bahamas, the geopolitical dynamics has become increasingly challenging to navigate with the latest example being the proposed specialty hospital project for which the Government of The Bahamas has secured Chinese financial backing. In response, the US, through its newly appointed ambassador, has publicly encouraged The Bahamas to reconsider the arrangement.

Laing, former Minister of Economic Affairs and a UB graduate, offered this contextual view: that The Bahamas understands the importance of maintaining strong relationships with both global powers.

“If we were going to have concerns about any country being overly influential in The Bahamas, it would be the United States of America. Why? Eighty-plus percent of our tourism comes from the United States. We have one of the only U.S. pre-clearance facilities in the world. There are substantial American investments in The Bahamas. Our currency is pegged to the United States. And if we ever needed help in this country, we have no doubt who we would turn to,” Laing said.

Laing noted that the influence of the United States extends beyond economics and geopolitics into the cultural and personal realms.

“We love to go to the United States. We go for education, healthcare, and socializing. But for practical reasons, we also nurture relationships with countries around the world. The Bahamas is not a war state.”

As competition between the two global giants intensifies, Laing offered this advice for policymakers navigating the geopolitical landscape.

“It will continue to be very competitive between these two giants, and if I were advising policymakers in The Bahamas, I would say: keep hugging your friends and shaking the hands of your associates.”

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 6 March 2026: Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”  Today, as we observe National Teachers’ Day, we pause to recognize and celebrate the remarkable contributions of our teachers and the dedicated leaders of our schools. Your commitment to shaping young minds, guiding character, and nurturing potential is a calling that reaches far beyond the classroom. Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”  Your daily efforts reflect the truth and wisdom of these words.

We also extend sincere appreciation to the leaders of our schools whose vision, guidance, and steady leadership create environments where both teachers and students can flourish. Your role in supporting educators and maintaining strong, positive learning communities is invaluable to the continued progress of our education system.

Teaching is not without its challenges. Yet, even in moments of stress and difficulty, our teachers continue to demonstrate genuine love, patience, and concern for their students. For this, we are deeply grateful. Your compassion, encouragement, and dedication help our children feel seen, valued, and inspired to reach their full potential. Truly, to teach is indeed to touch lives forever.

Education is strongest when it is supported by partnership. We must also recognize the important role of parents and families in the success of our children. When schools and homes work together, the results are powerful. As we often say, when parents lead, children succeed. This shared commitment creates a strong foundation for learning and growth.

As a Department and Ministry of Education, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting our teachers and school leaders. We will continue to invest in meaningful professional development, provide the resources necessary for effective teaching and learning, and strengthen the systems that empower educators to thrive in their profession. Your work matters deeply, and we remain dedicated to ensuring you have the support needed to continue making a lasting difference.

On behalf of the Ministry of Education, I thank you. Thank you for your dedication, your resilience, your leadership, and for the love and care you show to our children each and every day. Today we celebrate you and the incredible impact you have on our nation’s future.

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands 28 January 2026 —The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture is pleased to announce the launch of Beyond the School Bell, the inaugural e-magazine of the Social Enrichment Academic Afterschool Programme (SEAP). This groundbreaking publication celebrates the vibrant activities taking place in afterschool programmes across schools in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Beyond the School Bell offers an exciting glimpse into the diverse activities that keep students engaged, learning and thriving long after the school bell rings. From hands-on cultural and arts activities to sports, environmental initiatives and academic enrichment programmes, the e-magazine highlights the innovative ways the afterschool programme is shaping well-rounded students and building stronger school communities.

Commenting on the launch, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, stated: “This dynamic publication celebrates the creativity, curiosity and community that come alive in our afterschool programme. Through the photos, highlights and presentations, Beyond the School Bell captures how afterschool hours become a powerful space for exploration, growth and connection, reflecting our commitment to supporting our students academically, socially and creatively.”

The e-magazine showcases the meaningful difference the afterschool programme is making in the lives of children and young people across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

To view the inaugural issue of Beyond the School Bell, please visit:

https://heyzine.com/flip-book/49423d4d63.html