By NAVARDO SAUNDERS

Freeport News Reporter

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday strongly condemned an article in popular tabloid The Punch, calling it a "complete and utter fabrication."

In the article appearing on Monday under the headline: "China Says No To Our Drug Tainted Envoy," The Punch alleges that the Chinese Embassy in Nassau has advised the government that they will not recognize a certain senior civil servant if he is appointed as The Bahamas' Ambassador to China because he is drug-tainted.

"The civil servant was allegedly convicted of a drug-related offence some time ago," The Punch's story states. "And because of the drug conviction, he is on the U.S. stop list and is not allowed to travel to Miami or America. Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell was reportedly hoping that China would overlook the civil servant's drug-tainted past."

Minister Mitchell, the article further states, had planned to name the senior civil servant as Ambassador to China this year.

But the Punch alleges that the Chinese have written to Prime Minister Perry Christie on the proposed controversial appointment of the top diplomat, allegedly warning that they will not acknowledge his appointment.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, in a press statement said that "each and every allegation contained in The Punch's article is a complete and utter fabrication, without any basis whatsoever in fact."

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs further asks the public to treat with extreme caution anything that appears in the tabloid known as The Punch with regard to the Ministry, because of the publication's history of stories which are replete with lies and fabrications," the Ministry's press statement added

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also denied The Punch's allegations that the government and China are reportedly arguing over the condition under which the new $30 million, 15,000 seater national stadium will be built in Nassau.

The article notes that China will provide the funding the stadium, but as a condition of the project, is insisting that their contractors, architects, engineers and accountants are all on site in Nassau to supervise its construction.

But The Punch claims Prime Minister Christie has told China's Ambassador to the Bahamas Li Yuanming that the government wants the construction of the stadium to be overseen by Bahamian contractors and building experts.

However, according to The Punch's story, China is trying to ensure that none of their $30 million is wasted on "bad workmanship and inflated contract to local crony builders."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says The Punch's article suggests that relations between the Bahamas and Chinese governments is in turmoil.

But that is far from the truth, according to the Ministry, adding that The Punch's suggestions are baseless and without merit.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, relations between The Bahamas and China are strong and continue to grow from strength to strength.