Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has given high praise to China’s Belt and Road Initiative saying that it provides support for many countries to build economic independence.
He spoke in an interview with China’s official state news agency, Xinhua in Roseau. “The Belt and Road Initiative has opened up numerous opportunities in providing financing, providing technical support, providing material support to so many countries to help build economic independence and to advance the social development of our country,” he said.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects ever conceived.
“Launched in 2013 by President Xi Jinping, the vast collection of development and investment initiatives was originally devised to link East Asia and Europe through physical infrastructure,” the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) said in an article.
“In the decade since, the project has expanded to Africa, Oceania, and Latin America, significantly broadening China’s economic and political influence.”
About 147 countries—accounting for two-thirds of the world’s population and 40 percent of global GDP—have signed on to projects under the BRI or have indicated an interest in doing so, the article stated.
However, the initiative has been challenged by many around the world.
“For some countries that take on large amounts of debt to fund infrastructure upgrades, BRI money is seen as a potential poisoned chalice,” the CFR stated in its article. “China views BRI projects as a commercial endeavor, with loans close to a market interest rate that it expects to be fully repaid. Some BRI investments have involved opaque bidding processes and required the use of Chinese firms. As a result, contractors have inflated costs, leading to canceled projects and political backlash.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, “a climbing number of low-income BRI countries have struggled to repay loans associated with the initiative, spurring a wave of debt crises and new criticism for BRI,” the CFR pointedly stated.
In Skerrit’s interview with Xinhua, he acknowledged some of the benefits Dominica is enjoying because of the BRI.
“Under the Belt and Road Initiative, we have been able to see an expansion of the cooperation in agriculture from China which is aiding us in our food security,” he remarked.
“Which is aiding us in increasing the contribution of agriculture to our gross domestic product and also the transfer of technology to our local farmers in order to advance the agricultural business and see a better return in their investments.”
He also said that there has been “a dramatic improvement in health care in Dominica as a result of the BRI.”
“The advancements we made in health care with the construction of the Dominica China Friendship Hospital and the introduction of new technologies, equipment, and also the cooperation that we have in respect to the cardiology department that has been created with the direct support of China,” the prime minister said.
Dominica and China are celebrating 20 years of diplomatic relations. Skerrit will lead a delegation to the eastern Asian country for a week-long visit to celebrate the occasion.
China has long seen how easy it is to capture and seize land from black peoples. So just think of what China thinks of black people. You don’t have to be a scientist to figure this out. Simply put; China consider blacks as door mats; a walkover, if you please. These are the creatures to whom Roosevelt has sold Dominica to. But the deal hasn’t been fully sealed. Because our children and grandchildren won’t accept this deal. Is within these children the spirit of our ancestors will arise and strengthen. We are the cowards. So Dominica will never be dominated by China nor the LAZY LABOR PARTY. We shall never surrender to China 🇨🇳 Never. And we’ll owe them nothing.
A fake con-artist lin clown is on the road again.Trillions to who? The USA owe China $859.4 billion dollars and while fake lin clown is sitting doing nothing,there is a Chinatown in every state in the US.One of the biggest being Carnal Street in New York.
Nonsensical Words from a someone whose only Interest is holding on to Power!
1. BRI a) is a Debt Trap; b) provides employment for Chinese nationals; China is unable to provide sufficient employment for its population in mainland China as economic growth has not been able to keep pace with population growth; c) projects quality are mostly subpar.
2. Stating that BRI has benefited agriculture in Dominica does not make this a fact!
Dominica’s feeder road system is in disrepair, most farms remain inaccessible and/or overgrown by weeds and productivity is non-existent in the agricultural belt (St Andrew, St. David, St. Joseph and St Patrick). Simply stated, Skerrit has no knowledge of the history of agriculture in Dominica and the island’s current agricultural status relative to that history.
3. This PM highlights “dramatic improvement in health care in Dominica” Where is the data to support this? What is Dominica’ standing relative to its peers? What is its GHS index score?
look at skerrit….when they ready 4 u….u must run China…..I will never vote u again….we need a new team for Dominican… u are slowly getting to communism…disclose all the properties u and you wife bought so far…. also disclose all the properties your passport selling team bought so far…..ready bunch…..
When I was a kid, growing up in Wesley, there was a popular metaphor which relates to people who are dumb, nevertheless; believe they are privy to knowledge that only they possess. The metaphor states “when stupid people squat over high razor grass to defecate, the razor-grass usually cut their gluteus Maximus.”
Here he sits ; this Dominica nobody, corrupted crook, said he is giving China high praise for the Chinese thoughts of connecting (Asia), China to Europe, via Africa!
How can Roosevelt be so dumb that he cannot see of all the leaders of the Caribbean, his mouth is like a runaway fright train, meanwhile all of leaders of the Caribbean do have some form of academically degree, whereas Roosevelt has zero, none!
Who told Roosevelt that any African Nation is going to allow communist China to cut roads through their country.
That idiot is giving praise because China idea is going to help the economy of countries he doesn’t know!
What about Dominica’s economy…
The United States gave us black high speed boats,they gave us grenade launchers,M16’sA2,M4 carbine,teargas canisters,night vision goggles,M60 fully automatic machine guns(550rounds per minute)Glock 17’s and 19’s.The gave us thousands of 7.62,5.56,9mm and 45’s rounds of ammo to keep the aholes in their pen.Yes Mr MEME that is what the USA gave us.You and the blue do nothing acolytes know what the Chinese gave us.Not one rifle or pistol,not one round of ammunition.
There is an China-America Business Forum carrying on in China for one week starting Sunday for one week next week – Apple CEO etc going to be there – American Business Executives – Premier of China is not even going to meet them breaking their usual tradition but you all a bunch of useless government officials left your offices and going over there to commemorate diplomatic relations anniversary.
Your business execs – Dominicans- should be there meeting them – political people going out to meet these people – come on get with the program. you all looking so foolish.
I have a big idea to push to seek funding- I will check my school and see if I find seed money.
stupesssss tan and Lord please help us because we seem more lost and deeper in hell than we ever thought
Amen! He will help us. I see not many people calling on God for help. But in this crisis Dominica is in is only God who can help us. So let’s keep looking to Him to send us help. It doesn’t take the entire country calling on Him for Him to answer; Just a few of us calling on God in faith believing He will deliver. One prophet stopped the rain from falling on the earth for over three and a half years. Then he prayed again and it rain. In Dominica, one man “run things.” So it’s possible in the spirit realm only one of God’s children with the right motives can change things around politically in Dominica and the regions beyond. God is able to do it. God bless this blessed land of ours.
This country does not have a government with ideas or nothing. Thye have nothing going for them.
Back in twenty seventeen was the first time I actually took a look at how they were operating and realized that they were NOT working they had not done anything.
China = Belt and Road
America = Wars, guns and bombs
I rather Belt and Road everyday.
Well done China!
So basically when Dominica cannot repay what China gave them this will happen, ““For some countries that take on large amounts of debt to fund infrastructure upgrades, BRI money is seen as a potential poisoned chalice,” the CFR stated in its article. “China views BRI projects as a commercial endeavor, with loans close to a market interest rate that it expects to be fully repaid.”
In Africa China is literally taking their land as payment for the loans
mr there kissing rear high and low.he dosent watch or read news and seeing that the Belt and Road Initiative has put china in alot of debt by the trillions. the coutry is dilapidated at best
workers fellas would have seen that yuh
I swear the Chinese Communist Party writes the speeches for Skerrit. The guy cannot find a scintilla of fault with China. You would think the Communist Party is his God. Everything China does is good.
Meanwhile China is laughing at Roosevelt from ear to ear. They see him as a tall toddler.
Are these people serious – you all are celebrating diplomatic relations with a week long visit that huge group. Ok let us look at this differently – why not compile a team of Dominica up and coming businesses or business people a group which has never benefitted from the different communities each to meet these people to organize the country’s businesses. Imagine walking into the ministry and the various ministries and asking for assistance to help develop an idea that would benefit the country on a whole and one cannot meet with them and everyone else is busy – asking to set up a meeting with these individuals and the secretaries are not allowing to meet them or lying to you. YOU ALL DO NOT WANT PEOPLE TO Work – Dominicans.
These people were working so hard that they took rest and recreation break – “a week-long visit to celebrate the occasion.”
This is how you celebrate diplomatic relations