The Caribbean island of Antigua is friends of both China and the United States and its relationship with China is not in any way sinister or dangerous to U.S. interests, the chief of staff of the government of Prime Minister Gaston Browne said in response to a Newsweek article on its growing ties with Beijing.
The Newsweek investigation highlighted China’s increasing involvement on the island through diplomacy and state-owned companies, the signing of a private company deal in January for a new Chinese “Special Economic Zone,” and agreements that among other things would encourage Antiguan officials to study Chinese leader Xi Jinping‘s thoughts on governance. The article also quoted concerns from the U.S. military‘s Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) over China’s expanding presence in Antigua and in the Caribbean region.
“China has proven to be a reliable developmental partner and a good friend to many small and large states around the globe,” Lionel Hurst wrote.
“Antigua and Barbuda is also a great friend of the United States. Our soldiers are trained by SouthCom, our security is bolstered by U.S. Coast Guard and other branches of the U.S. military, and our number one trading partner is the United States.”
“There was a time when the USA was exceedingly generous and helpful in engineering a sustainable future for its friendly neighbors in the Caribbean.” Now, “its diplomats complain bitterly and publicly that the US Congress deprives the State Department of the resources needed to continue to win friends and influence leaders,” Hurst wrote.
The Newsweek article included extensive comment from an interview with Browne, but Hurst rejected what he said was the characterization of the relationship with China.
“We completely reject your characterization of the friendship between Antigua and Barbuda and the People’s Republic of China as being somehow sinister and dangerous to the United States and its interests,” Hurst wrote in the letter addressed to Newsweek and published on Antigua News Room, a news website.
Newsweek‘s newsroom declined to comment.
Newsweek cited leaked documents that showed a “Special Economic Zone” set up by Chinese citizens and China-born persons had been incorporated in Antigua in January with privileges granted by the government including for independent immigration and customs formalities and a company to assist the Antigua Coast Guard in regulating territorial waters, for fishing purposes. Other documents showed a dedicated airline had been incorporated for the zone, which will also have a shipping port and a company allowed to issue passports.
In its article, Newsweek cited the U.S. military’s Southern Command as expressing concern at these and other developments in a region that traditionally has been a U.S. sphere of influence. It also quoted opposition politicians in Antigua as voicing concern at the extent of Chinese influence and involvement under Browne’s government.
Hurst’s letter was also posted on Browne’s Facebook page.
There, Browne wrote: “We are peace practitioners, advocating for peace and cooperation among nations. We are friends of all; enemies of none.”
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Mr PM these investments from the western super power countries you speak about are private investments, the issue is not with the people of these nations, it is with their Governments.
I used to work with the online gaming industry while they where sanctioned, we had to jump through all kind of hoops to survived, and they keep blocking us in all areas, after the destroyed the industry in the Caribbean, they then made it legal in their country.
My opinion is, they will stifle us if we become to innovate in technology like what they are trying to do with China, however, China is way ahead of the west when it comes to technology, so that it is almost a cashless society.
As far as the westerner colonial super power Governments are concerned, it is ok for us to become a maximum hotel service industry but not a maximum technological innovative digital industry, do you see any of these industries coming to our shores to uplift our young people to become innovators in digital technological age since the online gaming revolution? I hope China step up to the plate and bring us some.
Is it not through the IMF and World bank we the third world countries get loans from these western colonial Governments?
I have heard most Antiguans and Barbuda complain their Governments should not take these loans because their loan terms and policies are to hash on developing countries and will make our economies worst, now China is throwing a life line, they do not want that either, what do we want? Mr PM these investments from the western super power countries you speak about are private investments, the issue is not with the people of these nations, it is with their Governments.
I used to work with the online gaming industry while they where sanctioned, we had to jump through all kind of hoops to survived, and they keep blocking us all areas, after the destroyed the industry in the Caribbean, they then made it legal in their country.
My opinion is, they will stifle us if we become to innovate in technology like what they are trying to do with China, however, China is way ahead of the west when it comes to technology, it is almost a cashless society.
As far as the westerner colonial super power Governments are concerned, it is ok for us to become a maximum hotel service industry but not a maximum technological innovative digital industry, do you see any of these industries coming to our shores to uplift our young people since the online gaming revolution? I hope China step up to the plate and bring us some.
Through the IMF and World bank we the third world countries get loans from these western colonial Governments.
I have heard most Antiguans complain their Governments should not take these loans because their loan terms and policies are to hash on developing countries, now China is throwing a life line most of us do not want that either, what do we want?
You make a very valid point @ Geopolitical when you mention:
“… it is ok for us to become a maximum hotel service industry but not a maximum technology innovative digital industry ..”
Time and time again Caribbean countries seem to be dictated to by the West, as to what industries/sectors to pursue, and it doesn’t help when you witness the likes of our own members of goverment pushing the Hospitality narratives as if this is Antigua’s only pursuant.
Of course “Western super power countries” , as you so rightly put it need a subservient ‘know your place’ sector that will cater for all their needs and whims; and how dare we try and make money the same way in the region as them.
I learnt very early In my career, that I wasn’t going to make my fortune working for anyone else or taking government advice on this particular matter. Tarl!
Gaming used to generate so much income for us. These western colonizers want us to be beggars until we die. Thank God for China.
Aren’t they begging for the exact things from China? Begging isn’t begging based on who you beg?
Nothing new here..this man double down on every bad decision he makes..he keep getting himself in a pickle, only to come back later to try and cleanup his mess.
This guy keeps talking and talking, all the while implicating himself and doesn’t even know it.
Again,there is nothing wrong with development, but going about it the wrong way and signing bad deals, is certainly not the way to do it, that’s the problem we have here, with who leading these terrible deals.
If a company you working for keep making bad deals after bad deals, that company will soon be bankrupt and out of business, and that’s where Antigua is heading with this guy at the helm.
Familiarize yourselves with the Monroe Doctrine.
To many Chinese are our country something is not right with it
@my way of helping, If trading with another country is begging I guess Janet Yellen the United States secretary of treasury went to China the other day with cap on hand begging China also.
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