China contribution to Dominica ‘very significant’ – Alvin Bernard

 Bernard said China's contribution to Dominica has been significant
Bernard said China’s contribution to Dominica has been significant

Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Senator Alvin Bernard, has described the assistance from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to Dominica as “ very significant”.

Bernard made the remarks at the Chinese Embassy on the weekend where nine students were given scholarships to study various disciplines in the PRC.

“This assistance has been very significant in supporting the growth and social protection strategy,” he said. “The growth and social protection strategy of the government of Dominica is a policy that represents a philosophy of the government of Dominica that believes that we have to place the resources at the bottom of the pyramid. In other words we believe we cannot only put the resources in one sector and hope for what we call the trickle-down effect.”

The minister of state also mentioned that the nine scholarships are a fitting “10-year birthday” present for Dominica, marking 10 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

“So today we have nine students going off to China and I believe we can consider this to be a fitting birthday present for the people of Dominica as we celebrate 10 years of our cooperation,” he noted. “And what we are doing is essentially sowing the seeds for development.”

Bernard pointed out that the PRC has helped Dominica in various sectors.

“At the Domestic level we have seen assistance from the People’s republic of China in infrastructure, budgetary support, national security, public sector management, health, sports and culture, agriculture, education and human resource development,” he noted. “These interventions, these activities essentially are in support of the government’s growth and social protection strategy.”

To date the Chinese scholarship program has been priced at over $7-million with 135 Dominicans benefiting.

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28 Comments

  1. no to colonisation
    August 20, 2014

    i do not accept the one china policy , i say no to colonisation

  2. Doc. Love
    August 20, 2014

    Is it true Alvin Bernard is on his way out. :-D

  3. Beane
    August 19, 2014

    Brothers and sisters, take a long harrrrrd look at what the
    Chinese are doing in Jamaica!
    Wake up Dominica!

  4. Marvlyn
    August 19, 2014

    Soon and very soon the departmant of education will make “CHINESE” a second language. All children attending all government school will have to learn to speak CHINESE.

    • The Facts
      August 20, 2014

      We cannot see the future. Think beyond. Be ready for it. There are Chinese children who are born in D/ca. I heard they speak in the D/can accent. This would be something to hear.
      If they reside in D/ca, in time, in all fairness, the Chinese language will have to be taught in the schools. Consider that D/cans are given scholarships. They will be learning the Chinese language. On their return, one day they will be in a position to teach Chinese or the Chinese who are residing in D/ca will be equipped to teach it. There is nothing wrong in learning another language as long as English and French are taught in the schools.
      I have foreseen and stated that some years from now those children will obviously grow to adulthood. If they are residing in D/ca, they are entitled as Dominican-born to participate in elections and also to become an electoral candidate. Who knows? Some day one may become the Prime Minister.
      I have also commented on this Website that D/cans must all educate themselves and graduate so as to also enter politics if they so wish and to hold government positions. This will not occur overnight but time flies. Now is the time to commence concentrating on this and to take steps accordingly.

  5. Peter J
    August 19, 2014

    Wait a minute! If China’s contribution to Dominica with a few dozen scholarships in ten years adds up to US$7 million, what is the value of the Cuban Scholarships to hundreds of Dominicans over the last 35 years?
    Since Skerrit was shamed in Cuba during his last visit, over the betrayal of the Polisario Front, the Cubans have lost favor with him.
    Come on Cuban graduates, speak out because the contribution of Cuba under trying times is 500 times more significant than that of the Chinese. In fact Cuba has never asked the government of Dominica to sing its praises of ONE CUBA POLICY like the Chinese has demanded and which our Prime Minister has stupidly and unashamedly obliged to.
    So Alo, tell the Chinese we know what genuine assistance is. At least the Cubans have no intention of colonizing us as is apparent in the Chinese imperialist intentions.

  6. Albert joseph
    August 19, 2014

    china have a 20 years plan for dominica.in the next ten years dominica will be owned by china,for loan payment,by that time the political situation will be so toxic,the elders today will all be on there way out,the youte will be confuse and chinese will be in the majority in dominica,
    DOMINICAN THE TIME IS NOW OR NEVER;
    DOE LET THEM SELL DOMINICA FROM US.

  7. John
    August 19, 2014

    China’s ultimate goal is to annex Dominica and make it a Chinese province in the middle of the Caribbean then build a Naval Base. They are going to expect something in return and they have bought Skerrit when they move in and claim their new province he will flee Dominica and live like a King an another country

  8. china no thanks
    August 18, 2014

    has anyone seen document on china,the most polluted country on our planet, i would not want any of my children studying in china,be sure to travel with your mask, you cannot see the top of those skyscrapers that is how low the pollution is around the country GOOD LUCK.

    • The Facts
      August 18, 2014

      I recently read that China is reducing its supply of coal which has caused this problem. However, it will take some years to fully eliminate the usage of coal.
      Those who go to China to live, to work and study should ensure that they keep healthy. They should know what this means, by eating nutritious foods and taking care of themselves that when they return, they will be as healthy as when they left Dominica.

    • Anonymous
      August 19, 2014

      you dont want it, fine, but these opportunities are important to many dominican families. for this, i thank China even though it is not myself who get the chance to go.

  9. %
    August 18, 2014

    Is Alo an economist?. You can see the difference between these men peddling Skerrits thrash and those learned men in Team Dominica/ UWP.
    Alo you must listen to “Focus on the Economy” hosted by the international Economist Dr Thompson Fontaine and Joshua Francis, on Wednesday nights fron 10.00pm to midnight. They will school you about the Chinese funded project we have had in Dominica, and the minimal imnpact they have had on job creation.. If you have any pass in Economics, i guess you will see for yourself what the two learned gentlemen are telling Dominicans. OOPS! Other that you and Tim Tim i doubt any of the other so called Labour candidates will understand. They are not up to that level yet.
    HOW LONG?
    NOT LONG!

    • Anonymous
      August 19, 2014

      Five more years!

  10. Erasmus B. Black
    August 18, 2014

    It is very interesting that the Honourable Minister of State considers the scholarships as “a fitting 10 year birthday present.” from the Chinese. Gift giving etiquette dictates that birthday presents should be reciprocal. What is Dominica’s 10 year present to the Chinese to mark this important anniversary?

    The scholarships, stadium, hospital, roads bridge (to name a few} are daily reminders of this “very significant’ Chinese assistance. Within the framework of bi-lateralism, Honourable Minister of State, can the Chinese use the same words and adjectives to describe our relationship with them? If so, what is the quid pro quo?

    • The Facts
      August 18, 2014

      Some of you have a tendency to be inconsiderate and ungrateful. If you are not ungrateful to the Chinese government, the same words and adjectives will be used to describe “our relationship with them.” Therefore, show your appreciation.
      I am not stating that this government is perfect. Nevertheless, Dominica is a better and more beautiful place because of the help received from the Chinese government. It has benefited all nationals. Think of that and raise no objection to what I have stated. Otherwise, not wanting to start an argument, with a smile, I will call you ungrateful. :lol: I mean it!

      • The Facts
        August 20, 2014

        ” not grateful”

  11. Jah guidell
    August 18, 2014

    Don’t the receivers of the scholarships have names? Where is the transparency?

  12. LABAR DABAR
    August 18, 2014

    china will and never ever has good intentions, history will reveal that. I would like mr Bernard to answer this question. HAVE YOU EVER READ THE FULL CONTENTS OF THE MOU?

    I don’t care what they give, all I know is that in the end we will lose more.

    • The Facts
      August 18, 2014

      If you feel that way, while there is still time and you are able to do so, you can commence with fervently praying to God for Dominica, other nationals and yourself. Some of you are critics, skeptical and deniers. Overall you are negative. You are doing more of that and complaining than praying. How can you expect Dominica to be a better, progressive and peaceful place if you do not pray as mentioned? God expects you to do your part in this regard.

  13. lightbulb
    August 18, 2014

    but wait nuh mister still around.. go and campaign nuh instead of winning on the coattails of PM Skerrit.

  14. Positively Dominican
    August 18, 2014

    What does the People Republic of China get in return? The Chinese are very shrewd. They do not give for nothing in return! Has Dominica been sold to the PRC? Just asking!

    • John
      August 19, 2014

      Skerrit sold Dominica to China long ago Soon you will see the Chinese flag flying over all government buildings in Roseau..

  15. Sout Man
    August 18, 2014

    We appreciate the scholarship and the economic assistance from China. China, I hope, has good intentions and cares about the economic welfare of these underdeveloped countries. What baffles me is that all the Chinese funded projects are staffed by a majority of Chinese nationals. Their projects have not had the potential impact on our unemployment situation.

    When President Obama met with the African Heads of State recently, that was one of the major criticism. Are the Chinese not sensitive to the negative optics of having less than 10% locals on a construction crew? Are they not concerned about being portrayed as “exploiters” of the Third World’s natural resources for their selfish benefits? Mr. Bernard, you have to stand up and be counted. The Chinese must be told, “I want my people employed”. If you can’t, Prevost will!

    • The Facts
      August 18, 2014

      If your people take their work seriously, as reporting to work on time and fulfilling their daily duty, then they probably could be employed.
      Did I not read that the PWC (?) workers report for work at approximately 12:00 pm? With that kind of poor work ethic, how can any work be performed and completed? While on the job they laugh and talk and are slow. Nothing will get done with that type of laissez faire attitude. It is something you should consider.

      • Sout Man
        August 20, 2014

        And the stereotyping continues; an entire nation maligned. “your people……..are slow…….laissez faire attitude”.

        Repeatedly reporting to work at 12:00 pm is a management problem, as far as I can see because two warnings are more than enough.

        “……..then they ‘probably’ could be employed”. An after thought; says a lot about your mentality which I am not going to characterize here.

  16. PR
    August 18, 2014

    if you build up a chart of countries with negative trade balance (as % of GDP) when Africa and majority of Caribbean countries will be far ahead of other countries. In layman terms: you only consume and don’t produce anything to export. Every dollar of such assistance impair your ability to be competitive and produce something worth exporting…

  17. Anonymous
    August 18, 2014

    Alo will soon be replaced by the insurance guy…in town. Garcon alo pull up your socks, not is time to back off that jacket and get into shorts and sleeveless like you use to do man.

    • ?
      August 18, 2014

      ?

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