Having consolidated its overwhelming presence in the Indian
Ocean Region by formally taking over Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port on a 99-year
lease, reports now emerge that China is all set to enter American backyard.
Making a leap from the “century of
humiliation” to an “era of
rejuvenation” China is continually expanding its global presence. China is
making gigantic strides in reaching out to various countries. The iconic, global
connectivity network of One Belt One Road (OBOR), encompassing 60 nations
exemplifies China’s aspirations. At a time, when America is questioning China’s
penetrative expansionism in the South China Sea and its eventual coercion of
smaller neighbors, Beijing is silently wooing Caribbean Countries. Besides,
brandishing American hegemony in the Caribbean region as big-power chauvinism
to counter American charges, China is markedly increasing its ties with them. Beijing
which has extensive trade and infrastructure investments in Latin America started
engaging with Caribbean islands in a big way. The economic recession of 2008
crippled US economy and subsequently American investments in Caribbean region
ebbed. Marking the decline of American and European Community engagement, China
steadily stepped up investments and bilateral trade with Caribbean. US-China
Economic and Security Review Commission reports validate burgeoning Chinese
presence.
Owing to its proximity to United States and major maritime
routes, China realized strategic importance of Caribbean. In 2013, President Xi
made his first overseas trip to Latin America and Caribbean. Moreover, China
believed that the region home to over two dozen countries would be highly
valuable for exercising significant diplomatic clout at the UN and its allied
agencies. Soon, China emerged as the single largest investor in Caribbean. In
Jamaica, China built a $720 million highway, constructed a deep port to serve
as transshipment hub for Chinese container ships traveling to Panama Canal. To
further augur access to ports, China Harbor Engineering signed an $1.5 billion
agreement with Jamaican authorities to develop a deep-water port. As in Latin
America, China provided scholarships to Caribbean countries to study in Chinese
Universities. Guyana, Bahamas, and Barbados received aid and investments. Soon,
these countries turned into lucrative markets for Chinese goods, arms and
weapons.
The latest to join the Chinese club is Grenada, a nation
invaded by American. Grenada, a British Colony gained independence in 1974. But
by 1978, a dominant leftist movement seized power, suspended the constitution
and jailed ruling dispensation. In 1983, military junta launched a coup and
executed the leftist Prime Minister plunging country into internal strife.
Grenada had close ties with Cuba and Russia and America overpowered by fears of
plausible Russian takeover led an attack against with Caribbean Coalition.
President Ronald Raegan launched “Operation Urgent Fury”. After 7 days of
intense struggle, peace was restored, and elections were called. Over 100
countries, denounced American invasion at the UN. But owing to immediate
restoration of democracy protestations against America soon faded out.
Currently, China is designing a new development plan for Grenada. Reports indicate
that Grenada is on the verge of accepting the multibillion dollar plan which
includes economic assistance. The plan includes construction of massive
infrastructure development projects like highways, railways, and special
economic zones. The island which is four times the size of Hong Kong has a
population of 100,000 is divided into 6 zones. The blue print of the
development plan is believed to include plans for renewable energy,
agriculture, medical tourism, fishing, fruit processing. Sources indicate that
the plan include a clause mandating Grenadian government to ensure protection
to foreign investments. China has plans of turning the island into a tax haven.
Mindful of the region’s proclivity to Leftist ideology, China
has promised not to interfere in domestic affairs of the country. But,
Beijing’s avowal of non-interference is truly misleading given its inimical
influence in the recently concluded Nepalese elections. China’s major push to forge investment alliances
with the Caribbean can be truly intimidating. Indeed, China initially entered
the South Asian region on the pretext of forging economic ties with India’s
immediate neighbors. In less than a decade Beijing successfully pulled all
South Asian countries encircling India into its orbit. Considering China’s
dubitable history, America must be cautious of Beijing’s nefarious attempts of
infiltrating into its region of dominance.
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