The China Exim Bank is demanding that the Government of The Bahamas grant citizenship to 500 Chinese who own condominiums at Baha Mar, the Journal has learnt.

The demand comes as a new bargaining chip to open the beleaguered $3.5 billion Cable Beach resort.

It is reported that over the weekend Government of The Bahamas negotiators Sir Baltron Bethel and Attorney General Allyson Maynard Gibson visited China to speak with Chinese officials.

Yesterday, Cabinet Minister V. Alfred Gray said this is something the pair has been doing for eight months.

“The trip that they are making now is to continue negotiations for the staff of the hotel,” he said.

An open letter from a group claiming to be “Baha Mar citizens” this past weekend denounced CCA and sternly warned Prime Minister Perry Christie not to allow CCA to finish the Baha Mar project.

The group said there are Bahamians who are more than capable of completing the project, which is 90 percent complete and that they do not want to see The Bahamas become a “Chinese colony”.

Minister Gray also vehemently denied that there is consideration for the granting of citizenship to 500 Chinese.

“The Government of The Bahamas does not sell citizenships. It is not so and if it is so I will resign from the Cabinet. I am a part of a Cabinet that I am proud of. And the granting of citizenship to 500, 100 or even 50 Chinese to open Baha Mar can never be contemplated,” Minister Gray said.

“Citizenship is earned; you have to apply; you have to be considered – we don’t negotiate citizenship. Work permits are something else and something that could be contemplated but citizenship cannot.”

Prime Minister Perry Christie has repeatedly expressed that the government will secure a buyer for Baha Mar in the near future.

Minister Gray confirmed that there are several potential buyers but no buyer has been accepted as yet.

Mr. Izmirlian has said that he will not participate in the bidding process.

Meanwhile, the $3.5 billion project remains in receivership.