Xi calls projects like this a "win-win" that deepen co-operation between the two countries while providing opportunity for development. "The Panama Canal is critical for trade in the Americas," said Scott MacDonald, an analyst of China-Caribbean relations for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a D.C.-based think-tank. 6172125100001. Parchment is executive director of the Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation, which is responsible for preserving the area. One resident said she was concerned about the dust that would cover the fruit trees outside her home. Beijing currently has just one overseas military base, in Djibouti, but is believed planning others, including possibly Pakistan, as it seeks to project itself as a global superpower. This is most often the case when projects are funded by grants, loans and private investments from China. 07-16-2020. It also includes projecting the country’s military force on land, sea and in space, the report notes. The BJP MP praised the Modi government for building two-lane roads till the border. CBC News takes a road trip through Jamaica to learn more. But Cambodia's prime minister says his … We reserve the right to close comments at any time. The reopening brought jobs back to the community, but not without some concerns. She shared the findings with members of the Jamaican Parliament, and then-newly elected Prime Minister Andrew Holness. China has since financed new ports in Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and the Bahamas. Last year, there were reportedly discussions on a base in the Wakhan corridor of north-west Afghanistan. Last month, JISCO decided to shut the mine for two years. Tian Qi, China's ambassador to Jamaica, described the project as a testament to his country's relationship with Jamaica. The contractor is imported from China, as are many of the workers. By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. George Thomas. “China’s advancement of projects such as the ‘One Belt, One Road’ Initiative (OBOR) will probably drive military overseas basing through a perceived need to provide security for OBOR projects,” the Pentagon said in its annual report to Congress on Chinese military and security developments. "It's very difficult to tell a poor country that's looking for investment and trade, not to engage with the second largest economy in the world.". "The Chinese do not engage Jamaican engineers and Jamaican management on the construction job, they only engage labour," said Carvel Stewart, a civil engineer and former president of the Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica. When he returned home, he announced that Jamaica would not be negotiating any new loans with China and would instead focus on private-sector partnerships and reducing Jamaica's debt. Bauxite, a rock formed from the reddish clay of tropical regions, is the world's primary source of aluminum. To better understand how these interests are playing out in the region, CBC News travelled to Jamaica, the 10th and most recent Caribbean nation to formally sign on to BRI. "I'm not exonerating the Chinese. Experts Warn a 'Horrible Surprise Coming', US-China Military Clash Within Six Months. Of more concern to US security interests is the ongoing seaport expansion project in the already commercially important port at Kingston, Jamaica, as well as the port at Freeport, Bahamas, China’s possible new base of operations 90 miles off the US coast. "Some locals say the Jamaicans have been left paying for a highway that does not benefit them," said Jevon Minto, a local scholar who has researched the impact of Chinese development investments on Jamaica for the Inter-American Dialogue, a think-tank based in Washington, D.C. "The locals don't drive it and yet they are the ones paying for it.". There is a SATCOM sight there and also military planes do transit and even remain overnight in Jamaica and other Caribbean countries at times especially when going to GITMO or on into Soto Cano Airbase in Honduras. The Trump administration is keeping a suspicious eye on China while helping the Bahamas recover from Hurricane Dorian. “China will seek to establish additional military bases in countries with which it has a longstanding friendly relationship and similar strategic interests, such as Pakistan, and in which there is a precedent for hosting foreign militaries,” the report said. There is … But target locations for military basing could include the Middle East, south-east Asia, and the western Pacific. Bernal said traditional sources of aid, such as funding from the U.S., aren't as available these days, which helps explain why Jamaica is more receptive to investment from China. China’s president, Xi Jinping, has sought to project the country’s power beyond its immediate “back yard” in east and south-east Asia. “Civilian research could support a strengthened Chinese military presence in the Arctic ocean, which could include deploying submarines to the region as a deterrent against nuclear attacks,” the report said. He offers three reasons why Chinese loans are good for Jamaica. China is also constructing a deep-sea port in Koh Kong, west of the base, which reportedly would have the ability to take navy frigates and military aircraft. When Ingrid Parchment heard that Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller announced the plan during a trip to China, she was shocked. An agreement seen by U.S. officials would allow China 30-year use of the base, it was reported in the media. She also took him on a tour of the island. If we could get that break in China, wouldn't we?". Five years ago, the Jamaican government announced that the state-owned China Harbour Engineering Company would lead the project. "Four per cent of Jamaica's debt is owed to China — not a huge amount," he said. Building a military base on the reef would guarantee China coverage of the whole of the South China Sea, in terms of radio and military range. The China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) began construction on the port in North Abaco, The Bahamas, in 2014. ‘Pompeo has lost his mind’: China denies US claim it's prolonging Venezuela crisis, US commits to aiding Philippines in South China Sea. This year Jamaica became the 10th Caribbean country to formally sign on to China's Belt and Road Initiative. This includes strengthening the country’s presence in international institutions, acquiring top-flight technology and establishing a strong economic presence worldwide. China will build string of military bases around world, says Pentagon Locations could include Middle East, Pakistan, and western Pacific to protect … The Pentagon report noted that Denmark has expressed concern about China’s interest in Greenland, which has included proposals to establish a research station, establish a satellite ground station, renovate airports and expand mining. It sat dormant until it was purchased in 2016 by Chinese state-owned mining giant Jiuquan Iron and Steel Company (JISCO). "We're saving lives.". "If you're one of the biggest holders of that country's debt, you may have a little more say in the processes and policies that get enacted.". This is a highly strategic location close to a deep water channel used by US military for deep water exercises. Stops included Cuba, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Costa Rica. That's why, for some, the highway is emblematic of a larger question surrounding China's growing interest and investment in the Caribbean: Experts say there are several key reasons why China is investing in the region: to extract mineral resources, to develop strategic ports and shipping lanes, and to provide opportunities for Chinese labour. – What Lawrence Franklin lays out is characteristic Chinese infrastructure building, and may very well result in installing military capabilities in the Caribbean, as it has done in parts of South Asia (e.g., Pakistan, Myanmar) and Africa (e.g., Djibouti). T The Bahamas has also partnered with China on high-profile investments. Soon after, Holness announced the port project was cancelled. "Guess what? Jamaica U.S. Military Bases News Topics; Specialized News Sections on Jamaica U.S. Military Bases The residue from bauxite plants have been here since they were established 50 years ago by Canadians and American firms," he said. Another resident said her skin breaks out in rashes when it's windy outside. Last month, the Jamaican government announced the groundbreaking for a children's hospital in Montego Bay, the first hospital to be built in the country in decades. The China Harbor Engineering Company spent $730 million dollars to expand the highway and plans to begin investment in a new Jamaican port. It involves the Chinese building a $1.5bn deep water container port on islands in Jamaica using dredging and land reclamation to accommodate mega ships coming through the … Secondly, the Chinese are very competitive in carrying out these construction projects, which they do all over the world. A statement by the defence ministry of China stated that the Chinese army is in no way involved in any military operations in the remote Afghan region. "This allows China to make a poke at the United States in its soft underbelly, because this is right in their backyard," said MacDonald, who is writing a book on the topic, with the working title: The New Cold War in the Caribbean. The assessment is included in the US military’s annual report to Congress on China’s armed forces. China's Belt and Road Initiative: Where it goes and what it's supposed to accomplish, The man, the myth: How Xi Jinping's rise from village life explains China's ambitions, Huawei funds $56M in academic research in Canada. CBC News took a road trip through Jamaica and asked who wins and who loses when it comes to China's Belt and Road. China Navy … Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. A number of her investigations have led to provincial and national policy change. Outlet for Chinese labour Last month, the Jamaican government announced the groundbreaking for a children's hospital in Montego Bay, the first hospital to be built in the … That has some experts concerned, China is on a mission to re-make the world. At first glance, the site is unremarkable. Bauxite mining is also the second largest industry in Jamaica. "They were going to be levelling the island, removing all of the trees, which is habitat for birds, and also the mangroves, in particular, which are where the baby fish and crabs grow.". He said the U.S. approach has been to tell countries not to engage with China, but that's a tough sell. ... the Chinese have occupied this … China’s Export-Import Bank provided a $2.5 billion loan to help develop the Baha Mar resort, which opened last year. Comments are welcome while open. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. Confirming trends forecast in recent reports from the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Chinese companies have recently announced major diversified investments in Jamaica and St Lucia. “China has conducted undeclared military activities in Antarctica, is building up a case for a territorial claim, and is engaging in minerals exploration there,” the report says. It is a priority for CBC to create a website that is accessible to all Canadians including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. CBC News requested an interview with Holness but was told he wasn't available. It's a plan to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in infrastructure projects to increase the flow of goods, money and people across much of the world, including the Caribbean. "You know, there have been lots of different discussions ... that the Chinese are trying to take over the world," she said. B I think it's a lack of development of the Jamaican construction workforce.". Construction of the port would have also required dredging around the island, which would leave the local community more vulnerable to damage from hurricanes. Locations could include Middle East, Pakistan, and western Pacific to protect Belt and Road Initiative, report says, Last modified on Sat 4 May 2019 01.33 BST. The size of the investment for this contemplated development is of major significance for both Jamaica and China, in that it is the largest investment ever contemplated in Jamaica and it’s the first overseas investment for Gansu Province. NewsBlock_9AM_071620_HD1080_110.499_297. BEIJING, China — The governments of Jamaica and China yesterday signed four agreements, among which will see the Asian superpower providing the island with billions of … China also has built hospitals in Dominica, St. Kitts, Barbados and Trinidad, as well as a children’s hospital in Jamaica. “China’s leaders are leveraging China’s growing economic, diplomatic, and military clout to establish regional preeminence and expand the country’s international influence,” the report said. "I think it's shortsightedness. Such concessions have prompted criticism from members of the local construction industry, some of whom accuse the Jamaican government of selling out their industry to the Chinese. It's part of Jamaica's Portland Bight, an environmentally sensitive and protected area. The Alpart mine and refinery, one of Jamaica's largest, is located in the southwestern town of Nain. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. "And I think you're going to see sharper elbows over the issue of who has influence in different regions on the planet and who doesn't. Bernal cautions against assigning all the blame to China. According to Kyle Bass (Hayman Capital Management), chinese acquired Bird Cay in Bahamas and already started some construction work there. The North South Highway, completed in 2016, was one of the first major infrastructure projects in Jamaica financed and built by a Chinese state-owned company. He suspects that's one reason China showed interest in building a port at Goat Island, located off the south coast of Jamaica and directly north of Panama. China’s state-supported construction enterprises are building hotel resorts in the Bahamas, Guyana and Barbados. GITMO only allows day time flight operations because they don't want a US military aircraft straying into Cuban airspace. Residue from bauxite can contain concentrations of harmful metals and low levels of radioactive elements. "It determined that the cost of the port at Goat Island, both the development and operation, would be far greater than at least two or three other sites in Jamaica," Parchment said. He says the Jamaican government should have negotiated terms that require Chinese firms to hire locals at all job levels, not just as labourers. CBC News reached out to the Association of Chinese Enterprises in Jamaica Limited, whose members include construction companies operating in Jamaica, but didn't receive a response prior to publication. "For the past 47 years, we have been working together as true friends and real partners.". {Ed. China's interest in the Caribbean extends beyond loans and labour. That effort could be constrained by other countries’ wariness of hosting a full-time presence of the People’s Liberation Army, the report noted. Earlier this year, Jamaica's environmental regulator issued 16 enforcement orders against JISCO for causing "serious environmental and human health issues.". And the $32 toll for a 66-kilometre, one-way trip —collected by the Chinese developer — means driving the highway isn't affordable for most Jamaicans. Meanwhile, just 100 kilometres east, a gleaming new highway connecting Jamaica's major cities in the north and the south sits relatively empty. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Holness spent eight days visiting China. In 2009, Alpart closed in the wake of the global financial crisis and a downturn in the aluminum industry. The US defense department expects China to add military bases around the world to protect its investments in it ambitious One Belt One Road global infrastructure program, according to an official report released on Thursday. Russia has always tended to be much more overt in establishing bases overseas. This year, Jamaica became the 10th Caribbean country to formally sign on to China's Belt and Road Initiative. In April 2016, China's Ministry of Defence announced that construction of China's first overseas military base had begun. Richard Bernal, Jamaica's former ambassador to the U.S. and pro-vice chancellor for global affairs at the University of the West Indies, says the number of Chinese workers in Jamaica is relatively small compared to other developing countries that have accepted loans from China, and the total has been shrinking over time. China and Afghanistan Officials Deny Chinese Military Base Claims However, both the Chinese and the Afghan officials deny the building of any Chinese military base in Afghanistan. China's investments have brought much-needed infrastructure to the region, but with that has also come some friction. CBC News examines the stakes for Canada, CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. 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