So you are effectively saying that Hutchison was a good corporate citizen that was acting in The Bahamas' interest when they 'took the money (and toilet paper) and ran'?

Sure!

China "Belt and Road initiative" is nothing but a depth trap dipolmacy. Beware Bahamas, China has sunk the economy and saddled Sri lanka and Djibouti with depth they cannot pay back which results in them giving China ownership of Key infastructure projects to satisfy the depth.So far eight countries involve in the "Belt and road initiative" has unsustainable depth levels because of signing up. .

Listen everyone... this is The Bahamas! <br/>Though I doubt our PM is sharp enough to play his cards in a way to take advantage of what China and the US may offer. <br/>
Rather than having them both take advantage of us! If only we had truly politically savvy leaders. (Sigh)

Hey!.,this P.M. only have to create a savvy business commission,like Mr.Trump has done to negotiate globally any good deal taking into account or consideration the native public opinion and that mentioned commission could be integrated by recognized local & foreign financial advisors in order to get the best deal possible.
We need to bridge all these Bahamian Islands and seal the porosity of our border and charge a fee to any ship using our territory like our air space. Also need to make our security institutions very very strong.

Exactly

I remember my paternal grandfather believing that had the Chinese been the second ethic group to set foot on the North American continent there would be no other people of colour or ethnic origin on that continent today. The fact that Red China remains such a closed society in this day and age is quite telling and is something we Bahamians should **not** be quick to dismiss. When it comes to their respective foreign policies, the U.S. and Red China are essentially two evils alike, with each seeking to expand their sphere of influence on the world stage while at the same time acquiring low-cost access to and/or control of the natural resources of other nations. But it's an undisputed given that the U.S. is a very big step above Red China when it comes to respecting and encouraging human rights, property rights (including intellectual property rights) rights and fundamental democratic processes. We must not lose sight of the fact that all devils are **not** created equal!

We must also ensure that we are truly aware of the greater threat to our well being. For example, I do not believe that Chinese interference has had any negative impact on Haiti. As for democratic and human rights, what is not said on western mainstream media could fill an encyclopaedia!

I sense you believe Red China would have been willing to accept having an African-Chinese population on par with today's African-American population had Red China rather than the U.S. been involved in the African slave trade a few hundred years ago. I think not, but more importantly there are well over a billion Red Chinese who more than likely think not. Unfortunately the more severe types of racism tied to ideology inculcated in certain ethic groups over thousands of years, while capable of being covered up, cannot ever be truly erased. Yes, I do have grave concerns about the number of African-Americans currently incarcerated in the U.S., but I nevertheless believe U.S. society as a whole has a much greater tolerance level for ethnic diversity than Red China will ever have; at least in my life time, and I'm not that old.

China's plans for Haiti are strategic and long term. One may not appear to see anything at all for a generation or more, but when you do--- watch out! China's interest alone will be served!

What a perfect opportunity for the Bahamas to negotiate with the US! I hope Minnis uses this opportunity wisely. Our bread is buttered by US tourism, not Chinese. Our currency is pegged to the US dollar. Let's not forget who feeds us and our children! It is outrageous that China is even getting involved or speaking out in this matter as if they have a say in our national policies. They're acting as if The Bahamas is theirs! China just reach, while the US has been backing us for decades.

... money causes amnesia! this has been known for millennia!

China will economically enslave the world because it has surplus money to lend and invest in vulnerable countries that need $$$$$$ ......... This "enslavement" has already happened in many countries within China's immediate geo-political sphere (Asia/Pacific) and Africa ........ the tentacles are now reaching into the Americas ......... Trump has every right to call the Chinese out (they are doing the same in the USA) .......... We cannot be that blind, deaf and dumb to the Chinese $$$$$$ (and labour) invasion.

China already owns The Bahamas, hook, line and sinker.

The thing is, politicians, of all people, should remember that nothing in life is free, not even the air we breathe these days! Governments, like bank customers, should never borrow more than they can realistically repay. SMART borrowers NEVER forget this basic tenet. Most smart lenders take collateral. Collateral comes in all forms...........

And there are no doubt very well funded Swiss bank accounts to prove what you say here.

The IDB is owned by Chinese? Did I miss something? Or are you not really a banker? -squints hard-

Touche!

Yes, yes and yes ironically, the comrade Ambassador, never spoke to specifically address Colony of Out Islands- "Free port", yes, no?
The Thomas Robinson Stadium a grant from China, which is now being powered by another foreigner government, yes, no?

Those two in the photo ALMOST look like the Bobbsey Twins!

Yes, yes and yes comrade DDK, best life altering financial advice you can ever share with our younger generation comrades, is 'NEVER' borrow or go on installment for anything to do with or for fun or for entertainment, yes, no?
One need only take look at the indebtedness misery so many government workers who have assigned unsustainable large chunks their paycheques over to Creditors, yes, no their Freedom spend have been taken completely out their own hands, yes no?
Government should introduce legislation to mandate the blocking of earnings assignment to the creditors of ALL government workers. and, for it be an offense under Business Act, not offer Layaway Plan at all stores and businesses, yes, no don't enter into debt own for Fun nor Entertainment, - nor make you look all prettier nor enhance appearances, handsomeness, yes, no?

This is a good example why NOT to do local building projects with foreign governments in general and China specifically. If a private company (foreign or otherwise) had built Baha Mar, the National Stadium and The Pointe, there would be no comment when our public officials met with the US. There wouldn't be a peep! However, because a foreign government is directly involved in these business projects, they have developed a sense of ownership and control over our national politics and affairs like a jealous lover. This is not healthy!!! Business projects should be governed by legal contracts and economics, not on foreign policies and embassy interference.

Our corrupt politicians sucking on the lending teat ('tit') of Red China has wrongfully left Red China's government thinking it now has a voice in our country's foreign policy affairs directly involving the U.S.

Red China's government can speak to the U.S. government all it wants, but it should never ever try speak for our government or the Bahamian people on any of our foreign policy matters directly involving our relations with the U.S., or any other country for that matter. We are perfectly capable of speaking for ourselves on all such matters.

Could you imagine for just a moment how the Red Chinese government would react if the Bahamian government presumptuously took it upon itself to speak on behalf of Red China to the U.S. about any of Red China's foreign policy matters directly involving the U.S.!!!!

Agreed. This is an outrage!!! Imagine if the Haitian Embassy had done this? Bahamians would be outraged. But with China everyone just accepts this rudeness and breach in diplomatic protocol.

China has huge investment in the USA. They also hold huge USA debts.

Don't be silly - there's an all too obvious very big difference in our case.

Both the U.S. and Red China are very big boys more than capable of looking after their own interests. We, on the other hand, are nothing but a gnat that could be all too easily squashed by the U.S. if we don't behave or become too annoying. And that reality exists by virtue of our geographic proximity to the U.S. It's as simple as that, and it is what it is. We would be incredibly foolish to think our bread could somehow be better buttered by Red China. Venezuela was foolish enough to believe its bread could be better buttered by Russia and/or Red China. And just look where that got the Venezuelan people today.

And THAT just may just be why the Uncle has his willy in a knot!

The U.S. has a very firm grip on Red China's balls and can inflict much pain by squeezing at any time. Just think about it for a moment. Over the past 20+ years Americans have purchased a lot of junk from China, most of which is clogging up their home garages and needs to be thrown out. All of the appliances made in China and most other electrical goods (including Apple cell phones), etc. have a useful life of 3 to 5 years max, after which they too are ready for the junk yard. No big deal. But Red China on the other hand has been left holding a lot of U.S. government I.O.U.s in the form of U.S. Treasury bonds that the U.S. Federal Reserve can easily manipulate the value of at whim through its monetary and/or fiscal policy. Red China amassed so much wealth in a relatively short period of time that it had no other option but to invest its enormous liquidity needs in U.S. Treasury bonds of varied durations. Trump and his economic advisors know all of this and are now taking great joy in sticking it to Red China for the raping of the U.S. economy that they did through protectionism of their own economy from foreign competition, aided by unfair currency manipulation practices. Truth be told, it's Red China's willy that is now in a knot - not Uncle Sam's.

We will see how it plays out, it mightn't be pretty...........

Be ware of China with these large investments.They want something back voluntary or they will take it.Have you ever seen a coloured man or woman in China? No there are no black or coloured people in the Republic of China because the Policy is that No coloured man is allowed in China that will stay for any length of time and No chinese individual is to have any relationship with a person of colour.These are the rules that are forced in the laws of China and now Hong Hong.During the Olympics and other international sports in China, this was clearly pointed out by the officials of the Chinese Govt prior to the games.

Ma comrade, me eyes expressing... 'What utter rubbish!' - your post as such does belong dumpster, not be made available dumb down all good and intelligent read these hereto Tribune blog pages, yes, no?

Beware of the big Red Flag waving at you.They will eventually take over your country if you are not careful.The Chinese Ambassador have no right to speak out against the invitation for the Prime Minister been invited to the USA to visit the President.He may have something to worry about.

China has a plan called "Made in China 25" which is designed to leap frog over the USA and lead the world in Robotics, Aerospace, IT, Semi conductors, Automotives, manufacturing, Space and Argriculture..Countries like the Bahamas will be used as a stepping stone to achieve this goal.

Minnis tells Trump... invest in the Bahamas to counter the Chinese,
Trump Says.... Ok,
Trump goes to China... can you lend us some money so that we can invest in the Bahamas.

So is Minnis about to get some China Brush or is the USA playing the Trump Card? All were warned that this day will come. A day of recokoning of sorts. Minnis should be careful not to commit to anything. Not let Trump bully him or back him into any corner, especially on the issue with Venezuela. Trump and the US are looking for a reason to send troops in and take over the country and the oil fields. Yes Venezuela has the largest confirmed oil reserves in the world. Do not back Trump with his invasion. Venezuela today, Bahamas later today! That’s how serious it is. The US sending war gear to Europe (bombers), China has warships patrolling in the Caribbean for the first time in history. Remain as neutral as possible on as much as possible for as long as possible.

VERY SMART & VERY TRUE.
The funny thing is, the U.S. exported all its manufacturing (except, of course, for weapons & drugs) to China for cheap labour, then got p'd off when China's economy took off! Ancient Chinese proverb: be careful what you sew!

Trump will be president for just under two more years.Xi Jinping is president of china a mininum of 10 years as president.Trump wants to wrap up his legacy with a military victory in the western hemisphere and teach China and Russia a lesson about interfering in his back yard. No matter what Minnis says in the meating. Trump's will will be done. Its all about oil and the US military industrial complex

Trump's re-election in 2020 is all but guaranteed.

BTW, China is teaching almost 1 Million Chinese to speak English and the culture of the Western World. They are even learning songs like ‘Jesus loves me ‘‘tis I know.’ But they are also being taught military discipline. Can you guess their mission?

Yes, yes and yes pretty sure we well-schooled PM is representational capable speak up to US president......personally, we need turn our attention right here we own backyard - likes why is it we colonialist and tourists, can't catch ride on a Jitney to the Airport, nor Paradise Island cause we government does not allow the Jitney's run out to the Airport, or cross over the Paradise Island Bridge, yes, no? Why not offer Free Jitney rides all Colonialists with Tourists and the Work permitted, paying $3 per Jitney ride, yes, no?

The Chinese already control at least 40% of our economy .......... Atlantis, Bahamar, Pointe, Freeport, NAbaco etc. .......... Then there are the domestic retail and service industries.

its a good thing the former Min of agriculture, that Grey fella, was not stupid enough to allow the Koreans and chineese fishing rights in our waters

Get it right. . .gray was the one bringing them in. . .

Then .......... there are the reports of sale of land/cays to Chinese interests.

We seriously need a LAND AUDIT & REGISTRATION Act in this country.

Yes, yes and yes the way we've depleted we beloved Conchs is the dumb way we do things..... whilst beloved comrade Out Islander Fisherman's on Spanish Wells, have fished Lobsters in the right and sustaining way, so much so we Lobsters stock is greater in abundance today than it was 30 years back in time, yes no ?
We know bad Conch way and the right Lobster Way do things - but we choose not to learn do things for the righter, yes, no... and, is it just coincidentally for the most the comrade Spanish Wells Fisherman's, are mostly Conchy's?

But bogart said TalRussell say: "No, No and No, and did said you say BLACK WOMEN SUCK from gibberish3214321Loser Sends Hate Mail sent 9 minutes ago Black women are like you are at the bottom of the dating pole. Yes, Asian males have it bad too but the ratio of Asian female to Asian male dating out is 2:1. For blacks? ALMOST EVERY "SUCCESSFUL NEGRO" in the media has a non-black mother. Drake, Zendaya, Tyga, Beyonce...and so many more are all produced from White mothers! If black women are so great, why do your men prefer White women? Why are 70% black women single?" And Comrade bogart do say Comrade TalRussell he know, yes not no, but yes, yes, if Comrade Tal say ain't yes but no, cause you Comrade Tal done say bogart is a conch and he know what he can do wit he no - ain't dat so?

You can be sure China will want to know what Trump says to Minnis in Mar-a-lago. PM better check his computer for hacks and sweep his house for bugs on his return.

I am reliably informed that Drump will demand Minnis donate the RBDF to him for his planned invasion of Venezuela. ( he doesn't want US casualties ).

Official chicom state policy remains the same as ever, to wit:

"Use capitalism to build communism to destroy the West."

After Freeport, BahaMar, the Pointe, and other chicom intrusions, they've made their intentions clear. The chicoms are as they've always been, predatory above all. They do not believe in human rights, only the absolute power of the state.

The chicoms are barking like rabid housedogs because President Trump and his economic advisors nicely put their little, teeny, tiny, nuts in a vise and gave the handle a crank. Or three.

The chicoms have been raping America for years with slipshod goods, all to enrich and empower their military. Gutless, mendacious liberal politicians for the past thirty and more years have facilitated the chicoms looting of our nation - and the Bahamas - under the guise of 'free trade.' But it's not free trade. The chicoms for years charged very high tariffs on imports while the Globalist pouffeters, wankters, and tossers who comprise the political-business Establishment in America charged the chicoms barely nothing at all.

That era of communist pillage ended thanks to President Trump. Now we know why the chicom foo-dog barks so loudly. They need us. They need the Bahamas. Neither America nor the Bahamas needs them.

Many of us, and we're not that old, well recall the news films of chicom psycho-butcher Mao frog-marching political prisoners into red square, so that his goons could shoot them in the back of the head as examples to the rest.

Many of us well recall the Red Guards raping and pillaging their fellow Chinese, all to prop up communism, a tyrannical crime syndicate conceived by a spoiled-brat mental case by name of marx.

Nothing has changed with the chicoms. The President will let them bark all they wish. He has their teeny, tiny, cherries in a vice for the first time in decades, since old Rockefelon and his errand boy, Kissinger, started selling out America to these looters, all because they were communists. Old Rockefelon by his own, proud, admission believed in a system of world government according to communist diktats, not those of liberty and prosperity.

All has not been what it has seemed for many a decade, thanks to American's Global Government-Marxstream Media establishment.

That's changing, rapidly. And the globalists who've profited so handsomely at all others' expense don't like it one bit. Good.

Thank you for a great summary of the big picture.

This would be a good read but remove the dehumanizing language. Your points are valid. The name calling just takes away from your good insights. Also, Karl Marx was a genius. Just because his ideas do not work for human society, doesn't make him insignificant to political thought.

... if Marx knew anything about human nature he would have seen from day one that his political theories could only end in tyranny and oppression! History bears this out. Doesn't sound too smart to me!

Thanks for correcting the misinformation about what the Chines owns in the Bahamas. . .the port at FP, point and bahamar! Bahamar is in question. . .they are in court in NY. . .their behaviour was bad during the building of the bahamar. . .they pushed the original developer out through questionable business practices. . .

And God told his chosen ‘ I will not shower you with earthly treasures, because your enemy will strip you of it again, but for those you believe, and are faithful til the end, your reward is in Heaven.

This suppose To be an independent nation with an untouchable sovereignty without any foreign interference related to upgrade,develop or improve the quality of life regarding their people and the public in general residing in this nation,the one with so many Churches.
Intimidation of any kind is unacceptable coming from anywhere. Both nations,The United States & China have helped throughout the time in a substantial way to The Bahamas;one from faraway (China) & the other one (U.S.) ,much closer and more long stationary,traditional helper which should be given,by our current P.M., the priority and the great opportunity to reaffirm U.S. strong friendship & commitment to continue helping the land of Sidney Poirier and Mr. Oscar Pindling by making a more significant and more serious investment like China has already done,not drops by drops as our neighbor,the U.S usual support and little cooperation. We need to bridge all these Islands and encircle,seal or enclose our Bahamian waters (to also stop all illegal trafficking including human trafficking & drugs) through those mentioned bridges with additional train system and cable special vehicle to elevate our quality of life because in The Bahamas,quality should go first,not Bahamian.
Quality in the full extend of such beautiful word: Quality. And the Chinese really knows how to build those bridges in case the U.S. do not wish to take advantage of this Great Opportunity,offered to them as priority. Also the winner of this offert should mimic,at least 5% of their most productive manufacturing industry or company in The Bahamas.
Pls. Dr. Minnis,don't do like Mr.Perry Christy that went to China,face to face to President Xi Jimpin and didn't bring to The Bahamas,absolutely nothing. He went there to have dinner and sucks his teef.,in time when billions of dollars were available from that great nation of Asia.

The US plans to use its military to cut off the supply of Venezuela oil to Cuba. If this happens and the Bahamas supports Trump, it will create tension between Cuba and The Bahamas. Russia, whose oil is already banned of the world market may move in to supply Cuba. Then let your imagination run wild as to what could happen from there.

... another HMBS Flamingo incident??

Paul Vincent etc. etc. calm down and take your medication.

This meeting won't go well. Imagine the introduction...... Mr. Jack, please meet Mr. Ass.

One question President Trump is sure to ask Dr. Minnis..."Why haven't you keep your campaign mandate to root out corruption?"

Let's see how spinless Minnis responds to that!

That may be a loaded question because Minnis will have to say how many US agencies are involved with or interfering with the Bahamian government. Policing for sure.

Whatever we may think of Trump, thanks to him not opening up with Cuba we have received last year 6.6 million tourists, otherwise that number would have been substantially lower. M.B.G.A.

Whatever we may think of Trump we have to thank him for not opening up with Cuba resulting in us receiving 6.6 million tourists last year, amount which would have been substantially lower if he had done so. Prime Minister Minnis M.B.G.A.

President Trump has set the agenda for his meeting in Florida with Caribbean heads of state and it would not be wise for any Caribbean leader to try expand it to include other much more trivial things. From President Trump's standpoint there will only be four things on the agenda:

(1) U.S. concerns about Red China's growing influence in the Caribbean region;

(2) U.S. concerns about the increasing flow of illegal immigrants and illegal drugs into the U.S. from and/or through certain Caribbean countries (Bahamas included);

(3) diplomatic recognition by Caribbean nations of Venezuela's new president, as endorsed and supported by the U.S. government; and

(4) the role the U.S. government could and would like to play in helping Caribbean nations obtain sources of relatively low-cost oil and/or LNG to meet their long term energy needs.

Papa Doc Minnis had better be well prepared to quickly articulate our country's position on each of these four agenda items without any hint of hostility towards our very important neighbour to the north.

Well, Mudda-t Take sic, you are so right!!.
I totally agree with you 100%. That's a real political criteria that you exposed right there.

I know America can do much more than China but right now U.S.A. is immerse in exercising the slogan "America First" which is not bad,honoring the statement my salvation or safety,comes first because one cannot safe anyone else if you are not safe yourself first. Eventhough the above statement is not perfect but all develop nations should be mimicking or reciprocating their most productive manufacturing companies with their neighbors in order to improve quality of life and reduce significantly human "economic immigrants".
All of us have the right to eat and live with dignity & respect.