On August 16, 2004, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council held talks with visiting Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Perry Christie at the Great Hall of the People and both sides reached broad consensus on further deepening bilateral friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Wen Jiabao said that in recent years, China-Bahamas relations have achieved satisfactory development. Politically, the two countries respect and trust each other. Both sides have conducted a range of high-level exchanges that have enhanced mutual understanding and deepened friendship. China appreciates Bahamas in adhering to the one-China policy. Economically, the two countries have carried out pragmatic cooperation and witnessed bilateral trade volume increasing year by year with Bahamas becoming the second biggest trading partner and the largest export market of China in the English-speaking Caribbean region. The two countries have also enjoyed increasingly active exchanges in culture and education. These exchanges and cooperation have promoted steady development of China-Bahamas friendly cooperative relations.

Wen Jiabao indicated that to strengthen unity and cooperation with developing countries is the fundamental foothold of China's foreign policies. Both China and Bahamas are developing nations and are faced with an arduous task of safeguarding state sovereignty, developing economy and improving people's livelihood. To enhance China-Bahamas relations is in the fundamental interest of the two peoples. China would like to join hands with Bahamas to continue to maintain the momentum of exchanges of high-level visits in order to enhance mutual trust; actively seek new channels for expanded economic and trade cooperation between the two countries so as to promote common development; fully tap in their respective advantages in a bid to strengthen cooperation in tourism; do a good job in implementing relevant agreements reached by both sides with an aim to promote overall development of bilateral ties.

Christie said that Bahamas very much cherishes relations with China. The government of Bahamas will unswervingly adhere to the one-China policy and commit itself to developing friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation with China. As an islands country, Bahamas is faced with quite a number of challenges. Christie noted that Bahamas thanks China in providing assistance for economic and social development of his country and hopes to further expand bilateral exchanges and cooperation in tourism, agriculture, fishery, marine transport and education.

Following the talks, the two Prime Ministers attended the signing ceremony of the agreement on economic and technological cooperation between the two governments and other two documents.

Prior to the talks, Wen Jiabao held a welcoming ceremony for Christie's visit to China. Vice-Chairman of the Central Committee of China Democratic National Construction Association Liu Heng, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai and some other officials attended the welcoming ceremony.