Above: Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Bahamas has officially assumed the rotating chairmanship of the Caribbean Community.

New CARICOM Chairman and Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie said it would be his “duty” to work with CARICOM heads of government and Secretary General Irwin LaRocque to lay the foundations for CARICOM’s new strategic plan.

“The responsibility is now mine to continue to advance the interests of our Community and strengthen the integration process with the assistance of my colleague Heads of Government and the Secretary-General, and the support of the people of CARlCOM,” said Christie, who succeeds Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne in the post.

Christie’s first major act as chairman will be representing the Caribbean region at the upcoming China-CELAC meetings in Beijing on Jan. 8-9.

Christie will deliver a statement on behalf of CARICOM and will be meeting with the President and Premier of China.

“The visit will also provide an opportunity to discuss bi-lateral relations with China including areas of technical cooperation, maritime issues and a possible air services agreement,” according to a statement from the government of the Bahamas.