COMMENTARY: The Chinese factor – we must have a strategy

Editor’s note: The views expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Duravision Inc, Dominica News Online, or any of its subsidiary brands.

Dominica is a unique country, and it’s ours. Our love for our island has manifested in many ways, and we care about her future. Let us be clear on some issues.

A Note on Free Trade and Foreign Control

I abhor xenophobia, and so should we all. It is not helpful. However, raising the issue of local control is not anti-Chinese or anti-anybody. Every nationality has a right to stand on its own turf, be proud of it, and protect its ownership interests therein. We must never apologize for being nationalistic.

The U.S. flaunts free trade, yet when Dubai Ports sought to secure contracts for two or three East Coast ports recently, Congress raised hell and shut that down. What would the Chinese think if, suddenly, 2-5% of their population became Japanese and controlled significant parts of their country? What would be their reaction? Let us be fair and not pillory Dominicans who raise valid questions about our country. Let us have an intelligent debate grounded in reality.

Singapore and Tortola are both success stories, yet both have significant restrictions on citizenship and land ownership. In Tortola, if one is not a “belonger,” one cannot buy land or become a citizen—even if born there. That has not hindered wealth creation on that island. They have a clear strategy. So let us be clear.

1. The nature of employment in Dominica is such that the government is the primary employer. Hence, many who would want to opine on things remain silent, lest they be victimized. It has happened to many of us and seems to be a scourge across the board. For that reason, we should not silence those at home—or abroad—who seek to comment on the state of our nation. Such debate should not be seen as anti-government, anti-foreigner, or anti-Chinese. Debate, when coupled with productive effort, is desirable. But note, productive effort! It means we must learn to put our money where our mouths are by building institutions to support the nation-state we love and desire.

2. Let this be clear: The primary investors today in Dominica are the overseas Dominicans in the U.S., Canada, UK, and other Caribbean islands, who consistently send money to the island, support their families, and build homes there. Without their input over the years, our country would have collapsed. Our failure to pool our funds for major projects is not due to a lack of effort.

A request to establish a local bank to fund development by the diaspora was lost not too long ago.

Other Dominicans who have returned to set up businesses have been discouraged or lack support. This is a sad fact that we must confront honestly. We have a colonial mindset that prevents us from promoting those who look like us. Anyone who denies this salient truth is either dreaming or unaware of our history. Those of us who continue trying—despite this fact—are the truly committed and should be supported. The truth is, we do not support local investors enough. We have driven many of them away!

3. The Chinese are nationalistic people, too. I assure anyone familiar with Chinese history that they do not take foreign domination lightly. We studied the Chinese during the days of the independence movement and supported their struggles then. Let us adopt some of their admirable traits:
– Commitment to the motherland
– Patriotism
– Thrift
– Love for our culture
– Pride in our ethnicity
– Pride in our history
– Industry
– Teamwork
– Cooperative effort
– Perseverance

Let us embrace the Chinese, but with wisdom born of study. Let us be their friends. How many of us care to study the Chinese? We must do so with greater vigor, as they are a force to be reckoned with. Let us also seek technology and know-how from them, being wise and strategic in our partnerships.

Teaching Chinese at some of our high schools, with Chinese teachers, would be wise. Having Chinese teachers for math, computer science, and physics would also be beneficial. Inviting some Chinese light industries to partner with Benjo Sea Moss or other local firms would be advantageous. Inviting Chinese companies to assemble PCs in Dominica would be prudent. However, this should be in areas where we lack competence. While Chinese food is good and tasty, having a few restaurants and shops should not be our primary focus.

An alliance between Dominica State College and Beijing University would be prudent. A partnership between a Chinese textile plant and a Dominican business to produce locally designed clothing and shoes for export within the CSME is desirable. We need true partnerships. However, allowing Hayden’s or some village shop to close because someone has a direct link to Chinese productive capacity is not a strategy. We must protect our businesses as best we can so that Dominicans retain an ownership stake in their own society.

What is our plan? Every state has an immigration policy. What is ours? Can we discuss this? Or is our policy limited to selling passports and pocketing the revenue, with little or no accountability?

Conclusion: Land and water are in short supply worldwide. Dominica’s population has fallen, partly due to a more educated population, better healthcare, and other opportunities abroad. The same thing has happened in advanced countries like Italy. Nature abhors a vacuum. The Chinese—and everyone else with the wherewithal—will seek fortune, just as many Dominicans have done in Curacao, the UK, and the U.S. People will come to our beautiful island, and we should welcome those who do. But we must have a strategy and a policy. This must be discussed openly and not happen behind closed doors.

What can we do? As soon as we can:
1. Let us come together to build a hotel or eco-inn.
2. Let us open an account at NCB, where we can.
3. Let us support or mentor a local business with the skills we have learned.
4. Let us support a local school, clinic, or program.
5. Encourage visitors to come to Dominica.
6. Encourage investment in Dominica, especially in the hi-tech sector.
7. Let us meaningfully support organizations of which we are part. Often, it is the same tired warhorses doing all the work amidst much chatter. This can be debilitating.

Doing these things will help insulate us from the canard that we talk much and do little.

Be blessed, everyone, and let us discuss this matter with respect. Let us be confident in our patriotic ardor and our desire to make a productive difference.

Wise discussion, followed by productive action: that formula will win every time.