A Very Fast Boat to China . Is it a Crowded Romance ?

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One Caribbean Nation.


Flags of The Caribbean

Flag of the Republic of China

The recent news that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has sought financial assistance from China, should not have surprised, those citizens, who have been monitoring the economic presence of China throughout the region.

Trinidad and Tobago opted to secure the assistance from China rather than negotiate one with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The reason being that the Chinese loan did not come with the harsh conditions usually inflicted by the fund.

We note that the governments of; Jamaica, Barbados, and Guyana along with several others, have also turned to China for both economic and developmental aid. While we understand that with struggling economies and the devastation caused by COVID, many of our economies are in a perilous state, and China seems more than willing, to render assistance, we are forced to ask: At what price?

The region having survived slavery inflicted by the Europeans; almost economic abandonment by the USA, now finds itself in the pockets of China. Are we to continue being sophisticated beggars and once more find ourselves, the pawns in the global economic powerplay? Are we going to be nothing more than collateral damage caught in the crossfire of China’s and America’s global economic warfare?

We hope that regional leaders are asking themselves these questions as this newly found hot love affair with China blossoms. This very fast boat to China seems quite opposite from the classic song: Slow Boat to China. It really does not sound too romantic because there is usually no crowd on such ventures. The song does say: “I’ll like to get you on a slow boat to China all to myself alone.” Seems this is a very fast boat to China, and it is getting very crowded. Does not sound too romantic!

A word to the wise.


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