China has trashed comments made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a meeting with heads of government of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) describing them as biased, disrespectful and ignorant of international relations norms.
On May 6, leaders of the OECS, including Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit met with Rubio in Washington DC and Rubio specifically warned them about China, a sign that the US was concerned over growing Chinese influence in the region.
“Secretary Rubio urged our partners to make responsible, transparent decisions when selecting vendors and contractors for critical infrastructure projects, ensuring they are not vulnerable to privacy and security risks and exploitation by malign actors like the Chinese Communist Party,” a release by State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said after the meeting.
China did not take the comments by Rubio lightly with the Chinese embassy in The Bahamas saying that China firmly opposed them and that they “revealed ideological bias and disrespect and ignorance of the basic norms in international relations.”
According to the statement, projects that China are involved in address needs for development and economic growth.
“Chinese-invested projects, whether ports or other facilities, aim to address local development needs, foster economic growth, and create employment opportunities,” the statement said.
It said the Caribbean is not the sphere of influence for any one nation.
“The outdated Cold War mentality and zero-sum game thinking should be abandoned and an open and inclusive approach should be adopted toward China’s cooperation with Latin America, the Caribbean, and The Bahamas. The world is vast enough to accommodate the common development and shared progress of all nations,” the Chinese Embassy pointed out.
Dominica and China share an extremely cozy relationship with the Asian nation undertaking several major infrastructural projects on the island, including the construction of the Windsor Park Sports Stadium, the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital (formerly the Princess Margaret Hospital) and the new Dominica Grammar School, the rehabilitation of the Dominica State College and the EO LeBlanc Highway. Additionally, China has sponsored the rehabilitation or construction of several schools and many other projects across the island. It was recently announced that China will be building a distribution center for Chinese goods in Dominica.
Following the meeting, Skerrit said Dominica’s relationship with China has been “very transparent’ and Beijing has been a major ally in the economic and social development of the island.
“What China is doing for Dominica is open for everybody to see, whether it’s the construction of schools or the hospital or the roads or support to farmers and small businesses or housing…” he stated. “China will continue to be a very strong and steadfast friend of Dominica. I don’t think our relationship with any country should be based on any
other country’s relationship with that country.”
It’s interesting to see the US express such overt concern about China’s growing influence in the OECS. Rubio’s comments seem pointed, almost like a warning. I wonder if the US will offer alternative investment or development opportunities to counter China’s presence? It makes you think about the different approaches nations take in foreign relations – sometimes it feels like everyone’s just vying for the best deal, like trying to get the best price on an Eggy Car at a used car lot! It will be interesting to observe how this situation unfolds.
It’s interesting to see how Chinese influence continues to be a hot topic in international politics. Rubio’s warnings about the risks of partnering with China seem to reflect US concerns about the growing Chinese presence in the Caribbean. However, I wonder if these criticisms can be seen as an attempt to control other nations’ sovereignty, rather than a genuine concern for their security.
China’s reaction also reflects concerns about US interference in relations between China and Latin American and Caribbean countries, especially in the context of growing geopolitical competition between the two powers.
Is it me, or is the Cuban traitor Marco Rubio jealous of our economic relations with China and other BRICS countries? Take note Rubio, they are helping in our development and do not make us vassals and dependents, generating chaos in our soil and theft of our natural resources. But don’t worry Rubio, we can always put your name to our next urban project, I think it will represent very well the savage Capitalism to which you have sold your soul: “Marco Rubio” Public Toilets!
The OECS is comprised of sovereign states. they shall foster relations with whomever they deem fit.
Deja vulnerable. the Caribbean now thrust in the battle group of global juxtaposition. it was first Lenin communist Russia, now it’s hybrid step son China with a communist administration of capitalism purse. There is a reason one should have principles and values in thier personal and public life. we cannot accept all dog and cat because it is money. The OECS leaders were happy to kiss Marco Rubio behind only because of the money they could get to continue manipulate population. to stay in power but they hate democracy. The excuse is we are sovereign nation when it suits them. We have cultural, religious,family, and historical ties to US. not counting food, music and a shared history. What are our ties to China except for use to advance global ambition.
How useful was the meeting between th OECS rulers and Marco Rubio ( Secretary of State of the US)? Marco Rubio talked down to them in a hubristic manner castigating them close about relationship with America’s foes.
That was gross disrespect. How dare Little Marco wants to dictate the foreign affairs for these sovereign countries? The US pumps trillions of dollars worth in weapons to the Zionist State (Israel) to annihilate the indigenous people from Gaza and the West Bank. Ironically, these OECS mendicants, not one of the, dare to raise their objection to Rubio’s face.
They are just a bunch of cowards and nincompoops.