Michael Dunkley has said that a visit to the island by the Chinese Ambassador to the UK reflects a growing confidence in Bermuda.

Mr Liu Xiaoming is embarking on a three-day visit to the island during which he will meet with the Premier as well as Governor John Rankin and local business executives.

The visit is a direct result of a diplomatic and trade visit taken at the end of November by minister counsellor Jin Xu, first secretary Huang Hongyong and third secretary Peng Zhang of the Economic and Commercial Counsellor’s Office of the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom.

Mr Dunkley told The Royal Gazette: “Confidence has generally come back to Bermuda now and so it is not surprising that many of the eyes of the world are looking at us to see how we can develop relationships going forward.

“There are a number of very strong economies throughout the world — the US is our main trading partner and closest neighbour. The UK has one of the largest economies in the world and everybody knows our very close relationship with them as an overseas territory but China is the second largest economy in the world and growing and we live in a world where communication is easy and trade can move through.”

Speaking on the minister’s previous visit to Bermuda, Mr Dunkley added: “It was an exploratory visit where they were trying to understand what Bermuda does, how we do it and the potential for building relationships in trade and commerce.

“They seem to be very pleased with the time they had on the island; they seemed to think there was some potential, so I extended an invitation to the minister for the ambassador to come out any time.

“We have put on a full itinerary so that they can get a real flavour of Bermuda. In the past we have tried to build relationships with China so it is great for them to come here and see for themselves the unique opportunity that Bermuda offers whether it is in our vibrant reinsurance market or whether it is in the tourism product.”

Yesterday, Mr Liu toured the West End, including Commissioner’s House and met the Governor at Government House.

Today he will meet with Mr Dunkley to continue discussions on investment opportunities and tourism from China to Bermuda. This will be followed by a round table breakfast hosted by the Premier with leaders of Bermuda’s international business sector, the Chamber of Commerce and Government.

He will also attend a presentation this afternoon by the Bermuda Business Development Agency along with key members involved in Bermuda’s tourism sector, after which he will be escorted on an official tour of the East End of the island and be formally welcomed by the Mayor of St George, Quinnell Francis.

Finally, Mr Liu will meet with the Mayor of Hamilton Charles Gosling tomorrow for an official welcome to the City of Hamilton.

He is accompanied by his wife, Mrs Hu Pinqhua, consular official Guo Chentao, and second secretary, political section, Pan Feiya.