Caribbean- China Economic Relations: what are the Implications?

Abstract

This paper considers the Caribbean's economic relations with China and the implications of the relationship for Caribbean development. First, it explores the Caribbean's interest in engaging with China and vice versa and how this interest is manifested in the China Caribbean relationship. Subsequently, the implications of China's engagement with the Caribbean are examined. The paper concludes that the relationship has proven to be both beneficial and detrimental to Caribbean development. The Caribbean China liaison provides expanded options and greater confidence and space to manoeuvre in its external relations; ease of access to and additional sources of funding and China provides a counterweight to US and EU hegemony in the Caribbean. On the other hand, China's model of development may be replicating traditional patterns of exploitation and unsustainable development patterns and the presence and strategies may be hindering Caribbean unity.