In 1962, the Soviet Union threatened America’s sphere of influence by basing missiles in Cuba. President John F. Kennedy threatened nuclear confrontation if it did not retreat. The Soviet Union retreated, the Cold War remained cold.
Today, China is posing a similar threat. Except that, instead of missiles, China is deploying money and people.
The United States, Europe, and Japan are anxiously monitoring the way China is flexing its rapidly increasing military and economic muscle in Asia. But they seems oblivious to the way China is strategically basing state-controlled enterprises (and operatives) not just in Cuba, but throughout the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa.
China is deploying seemingly unlimited cash and human resources to become a major player in the pharmaceutical, petroleum, machinery and equipment, engineering and construction, textile, telecommunications, electronic, financial services, and transshipment fields. And, though wary about China’s expanding military might, targeted countries seem to regard its economic infiltration as rather benign … so far. (Of course, Troy regarded the infiltration of Sparta’s wooden horse as rather benign as well – until it became the proverbial Trojan horse.)
This week, at the China-Caribbean Economic and Trade Co-operation Forum in Jamaica, Vice President Zeng Qinghong is expected to consolidate China’s geopolitical strategy of co-opting the economies of the Caribbean. He reveled in the Santa Claus-like reception he got at every port of call during his tour of the region prior to his arrival in Jamaica.
Locals were understandably giddy with glee. After all, Qinghong showed up bearing gifts of unparalleled capital investments and glad tidings of future tourist visits in the tens of millions, which is no exaggeration coming from China.
Incidentally, countries throughout this region would do well to play the United States off against China to secure billions in foreign aid; you know, the way developing nations played the United States off against the Soviet during the Cold War.
However, allusions to Christopher Columbus might be more fitting. Because China’s search for new markets is really a quest for political dominion. And, with massive direct investments and Chinese tourists boosting visits to unprecedented levels, China will soon become indispensable to countries throughout the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa. Naturally, this would enable China to exercise unprecedented and unchallengeable political influence.
To be fair, China has made no attempt to disguise its political strategy. For example, it demanded that Caribbean countries sever all diplomatic ties with Taiwan as a condition of its largesse.
The Bahamas became the first Caribbean country in 1997 to duly comply. And this just happened to coincide with Hong-Kong based Hutchison Whampoa investing hundreds of millions of dollars in a container port and several hotels. Today, this Chinese company is fast becoming the largest employer in The Bahamas.
In fact, China’s “benign infiltration” throughout the Caribbean has become so pervasive that only five countries still maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan — the Dominican Republic, Haiti, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. And it seems only a matter of time before they abandon ship to.
Of course, no one can blame these countries for acting in their perceived national (economic) interests. After all, their political allegiance to America was more like a lilliputian cord of obligation. And, as China looms as a more reliable and generous benefactor, it seems reasonable that they would all welcome the severing of that chord – if only as matter of national pride. Besides, there is also a palpable sense – worldwide – that China, not the United States, will be the most dynamic and powerful country of the 21st Century.
Therefore, America’s indifference to the Caribbean is clearly not without consequences. Yet, in a recent interview with BBC America, Roger Noriega – the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs – blithely dismissed any potential challenge by China to America’s influence in the region.
Nevertheless, there seems no doubt that China is engaged in a Cold War strategy of buying-up political influence. And, Caribbean countries have been extremely solicitous of China’s attention. Perhaps when the Chinese summon Caribbean nations to support their international agenda – like voting at the UN for a Chinese Resolution to deploy any means necessary to bring Taiwan under its national flag – only then will America realize the threat posed by China’s Caribbean offensive.
Post Iraq, however, few Americans might care what China does in Taiwan (or anywhere else for that matter). But consider international developments that might lead China, for strategic reasons, to base missiles in Jamaica or convert its container ports, factories, and chemical plants throughout the region to dual military and commercial use.
Would the governments in the Caribbean duly comply? Would they have any real choice? Would America then blockade the entire region – as it blockaded Cuba during the missile crisis? Now, consider China making such strategic moves in Latin America or Africa, where its benign economic infiltration dwarfs its Caribbean operations. This new Cold War could then turn very hot indeed.
But don’t worry man, be happy!
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