Dear Editor,
Monday’s edition of The Nassau Guardian is emblazoned with not so subtle commentary (perhaps warning would be a stronger word) about America’s concern regarding China’s growing influence in the Caribbean in general and in The Bahamas in particular.
In April 2024, I penned a letter entitled “Care needed in relations with (US) and China” which was printed in the Tribune.
Below is the full text of that letter:
With the break up of the Soviet Union, China has emerged as one of the world’s two superpowers with the US being the other. China practises autocracy, while the US is a beacon of democracy.
In the cut and thrust of global politics, both Washington and Beijing are continuously attempting to extend their reach of influence towards non-aligned countries like The Bahamas and others in an attempt to pull them into their embrace using both overt and covert means.
Sometimes these domineering countries come bearing gifts in the form of cash or armaments or they offer to perform acts of unsolicited kindness with no obvious strings attached at the outset.
This brings me to the situation here at home where there seems to be a budding romance between China and The Bahamas.
In 2011, the Chinese government presented a $30 million stadium as a gift to The Bahamas, and now, 13 years later, the Chinese government has promised to renovate the stadium while at the same time using Chinese labourers.
I must also mention the many computers presented as gifts to some public schools and the Chinese acrobatic team which performed on Paradise Island to the delight of many Bahamians.
Nothing in life is free. The Bahamas would probably have to reciprocate in some way, shape, of form at some point.
No country can exist in isolation and it is always good to create and sustain new friendships and to strengthen existing bonds or relationships between countries because the world is a global village. But there is no doubt in my mind that China is trying to curry the favor of The Bahamas.
Anyone who thinks that China is being nice to The Bahamas because it likes Bahamians or sees these overtures as innocent acts of generosity is naive or is being deceived. I have a bridge to sell you.
China’s romance or fascination with The Bahamas has not gone un-noticed by the US. Last year, a diplomatic row almost broke out when a Chinese spokesperson accused the US of building the largest embassy perhaps in the Western Hemisphere here in The Bahamas.
The US sees these islands as a playground for its citizens. We can beat our chest and brag about being an independent country and sovereignty all we want. The fact is that we are in their backyard or front yard, depending on how you view the globe.
We would be wise to swallow the bitter pill of history and perform a balancing act in our relations between the two superpowers, China and the US, as they compete to become the dominant player on the world’s stage.
So, here we are with the US firing more shots across our bow warning us about our bosom friendship with China.
The situation seems even more dire with an erratic president in the White House who perhaps sees The Bahamas as an extension of dade county in any event.
Sincerely,
— Zephaniah Burrows
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Publish date : 2025-02-17 23:59:00
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