Wednesday, April 7, 2021
By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Tribune Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
THE Chinese Embassy in Nassau yesterday denied any intention by its government to pursue geopolitical advantage in the region, adding it was disappointed The Bahamas’ relationship with China was recently cast in a negative light.
Embassy spokesman Yin Haigang said instead of the United States finger-pointing, it would be much better to do more for vaccine accessibility for developing countries, helping to create jobs and protect the livelihood of the local people.
These, he said, are the real concerns of people in this region.
The Chinese official was responding to recently published remarks in a local newspaper attributed to General Glen VanHerck, the US Air Force commander for the US Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and North American Aerospace Defence Command.
While testifying before the US Senate Armed Services committee on March 16, the general said China continues to undermine US influence globally.
He warned that China is also attempting to use influence in The Bahamas by offering large-scale economic investments and material support for infrastructure projects.
General VanHerck said officials were closely looking at China’s influence specifically its attempts to influence the Bahamas, working through 5G, for example. He said the same was happening in Mexico. 5G technology is not currently available in The Bahamas, however last month Attorney General Carl Bethel announced telecommunications companies have submitted recommendations to the government for the implementation of such a network in the country.
General VanHerck was also adamant that China continues to pursue what was viewed as aggressive geopolitical strategy. This strategy sought to undermine US influence around the globe and shape the environment to its advantage.
Additionally he said in USNORTHCOM’s area of responsibility, China has made deliberate attempts to increase its economic and political influence with the United States’ close partners in Mexico and The Bahamas.
Responding in a statement yesterday, Mr Haigang said: “China has, over the years, been committed to developing friendly and cooperative relations with Caribbean countries on the basis of mutual benefit.
“China has no intention to pursue geopolitical advantage in the region, nor seek to replace anyone’s predominance in any part of the world.”
He said the remarks show a tendency of viewing the Caribbean as a backyard that no one else should get involved in.
“This is a reflection of typical Cold War mentality. The Caribbean region should not become an arena for major power competition, and regional countries should not be forced into a position of having to take sides.
“The cooperation between China and Caribbean countries is grounded on mutual benefit and mutual needs. The relevant investment and cooperation by Chinese companies were carried out on the basis of consultations on an equal footing and consistent with commercial principles and local laws and regulations. The projects China has participated in have played a positive role in improving livelihoods and creating jobs for the local people.”
Mr Haigang noted recent assistance to The Bahamas.
“In the spirit of building a community with a shared future for mankind, China has assisted The Bahamas in post-hurricane reconstruction and in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We will soon provide another batch of medical supplies to this country. In the context of the ongoing pandemic, it is all the more disappointing to hear such negative comments about China-Bahamas cooperation.
“Instead of finger-pointing, it would be much better to do more for vaccine accessibility for developing countries, and for helping to create jobs and protect the livelihood of the local people. These are the real concerns of people in this region.
“The development of China-Caribbean relations does not target or exclude any third party,” he continued. “Quite the contrary, many of the projects in the Bahamas constructed by Chinese companies use design, equipment and materials from the US, are managed by American companies, and enjoyed by American tourists, too.
“All parties are winners in such cooperation. We hope that relevant countries will abandon the outdated concept of zero-sum game and view China-Caribbean cooperation from an open and inclusive perspective.
“The development of China-US relations based on coordination, cooperation and stability serves the interests of both countries and is the common wish of people across the region. China is ready to continue working with the US in this direction.”
General VanHerck, speaking at the US Senate Armed Services committee last month, also referred referred to China as remaining “among the world’s most capable and brazen cyber actors, stealing volumes of sensitive data from US government, military, academic, cleared defence contractors, and other commercial networks each year.”
This is not the first time that the US and China have faced off over the latter’s involvement in the country.
In December, the Chinese Embassy in The Bahamas said reports that China has spied on Americans via Caribbean phone networks were false and another attempt by the United States to sow discord between China and Caribbean countries.
The claims of China’s spying prompted a strong response from the US Embassy in Nassau.
At the time, the US Embassy in Nassau said trust cannot exist where telecoms vendors are subject to an authoritarian government, like the People’s Republic of China, that lacks an independent judiciary or rule of law that would effectively prohibit this misuse of data.
Comments
tribanon says...
See the links below for just the tip of the iceberg on the sinister and evil motives of the Xi Jinping led Communist Chinese Party (CCP) aimed at world domination. And we all know from Communist China's enormous foot print on the African Continent exactly where the CCP stands on its treatment of black people as if they are sub-human, not to mention their great distaste, in fact hatred, of Christianity.
https://www.eurasiareview.com/07042021-…
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/1681…
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/08/worl…
https://www.chatditnews.com/disturbing-…
https://www.theblaze.com/news/world-hea…
Don't ever under-estimate the CCP's worldwide propaganda machine. Many a country has been very deliberately enslaved in debt by the CCP's outright bribery of corrupt politicians, with the sole goal being to gain control of the country's most valuable assets and natural resources.
Posted 7 April 2021, 4:22 p.m. Suggest removal
Chucky says...
You stooge!
Why not take an objective view.
Look at how things are around the world after 75 years of usa domination and see if that has produced more for developing nations that what china has done so far.
Usa is no saint , never has been a
nd never will.
Usa do t care Bout Bahamians, it's only objective is to remain dominet in it's influence globally for its own benefit.
Posted 7 April 2021, 4:30 p.m. Suggest removal
tribanon says...
From your obvious intense dislike of the US and apparent favouring of a greater relationship with Communist China, I can only assume you're possibly not black, you're possibly not Christian and perhaps you just don't give a damn about your country and the future of the vast majority of Bahamians, assuming of course you are Bahamian.
Communist China's most appalling 'current day' record on human rights abuses and extra-territorial aggression are all well proven and documented. You can whine all you want about the many past transgressions of the US, e.g. wiping out of native American Indians, the US slavery era, sparked middle-east wars, etc. etc., but the US still comes up looking saintly compared to the horrific evil record of Communist China.
Posted 7 April 2021, 4:59 p.m. Suggest removal
Bobsyeruncle says...
I think you're half right with your assessment. The US has had 50 years to invest in The Bahamas, but has chosen not to do so. China on the other hand, has taken the initiative and seen an opportunity. Human rights violations or not, the big red Chinese wave of investment (Belt & Road Initiative) is here to stay - globally. For myopic people like Tribanon, who only has eyes for the US, (and constantly insults the Chinese and Asian community), they will continue to wait in vain for their USA knight in shining armor to come galloping out of the sunset to save our economy.
It's quite obvious that successive Bahamian governments have failed miserably to develop the country (except in a backwards direction), so I say embrace the Chinese investment for what it is - an opportunity to build the country & provide jobs. The jobs might not the best paid, but they are still jobs that put food on the table for a lot of families, which is more than can be said for any Bahamian Government initiative or US investment.
Posted 7 April 2021, 5:52 p.m. Suggest removal
C2B says...
Did you see this Belt & Road project? Let's think twice before we assume that our interests are aligned with China's.
https://dialogo-americas.com/articles/c…
Posted 7 April 2021, 10:19 p.m. Suggest removal
GodSpeed says...
USA sends us their tourists, that's enough. China on the other hand rolls over their own people with tanks, so what do you think they'll do to you if they need to?
Posted 7 April 2021, 10:47 p.m. Suggest removal
Bobsyeruncle says...
USA sends us tourists who hardly spend a dime once they get off the cruise ships. Are you telling us that's enough ?
Posted 8 April 2021, 5:11 p.m. Suggest removal
The_Oracle says...
Better the devil you know (and love to spend money with, and visit, and we do so freely)
than the devil you don't. The British empire dominated the world for centuries, not the U.S.
The U.S.has global interests, which China Covets.
All they have use for here is the fisheries which they would happily wipe out in short order once allowed.
I understand they are already the main buyer of our poached seafood via the southern nations who poach here.
Posted 7 April 2021, 4:47 p.m. Suggest removal
John says...
This country’s relationship with America is like trying to learn to swim and hold on to the dock at the same. You can’t really experience Independence or know what your abilities and strengths are because you are so obsessed with keeping big brother at your side, even when ‘big brother’ may not have your well-being at heart. China, on the other hand, realizes it has billions to feed and to keep employed and fully occupied. It knows the only way to keep the competitive edge in pricing and productivity is to achieve greater economies of scale by looking beyond its borders and increasing its markets. And one strategy it is using is helping impoverished and underdeveloped nations to develop and expand their purchasing power. Some fear China has ulterior motives and is stretching its dominance too far. But the next most powerful economic power seems to have a lackluster and unattractive marketing strategy.
Posted 7 April 2021, 6:35 p.m. Suggest removal
C2B says...
China needs to deal with the origin of the Covid19 virus, They have been hiding information and keeping investigators from visiting the Wuhan labs and speaking to the relevant and involved Scientists. Until this happens, we must not dismiss the likelihood that this was an accidental leak from the military laboratory conveniently located in Wuhan. If China is found to be responsible, they must make reparations on a scale without precedent. No one is saying this was deliberate, but accountability is of critical importance. Also, until this happens, giving away vaccines will be rightfully viewed with suspicion. Wha say you about this Yin Hiagang? When will China be transparent?
Posted 7 April 2021, 10:28 p.m. Suggest removal
tribanon says...
Her reply to your last question can only ever be a most emphatic "Never!" Otherwise she would immediately be summonsed back to Beijing to never again be heard from by anyone. And she knows full well what that would mean for her future well-being. LOL
Posted 8 April 2021, 1:05 p.m. Suggest removal
Proguing says...
For the past twenty years the USA (under Democrat Presidents) has been bullying the Bahamas with black lists until we gave up our banking secrecy and made numerous other reforms in the financial sector. The result is a major loss of attractiveness of the Bahamas as a financial centre and massive losses of employment. With Biden this will start again. We will be forced to put a 20% corporate tax to start with, further eroding our competitivity.
Posted 8 April 2021, 6:01 a.m. Suggest removal
tribanon says...
The globalist bureaucrats within the elitist hierarchy of the EU have been doing most of the bullying you speak of, not the US.
Posted 8 April 2021, 4:57 p.m. Suggest removal
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