China in the Caribbean

What is it about?

I examine aspects of the circumstances and impact of the “new Chinese presence in the Caribbean,” drawing on preliminary findings from Dominica in particular. The “new Chinese presence” references the recent influx of both Chinese state or state-sponsored development aid and investment and private entrepreneurial immigrants into the region. As the small islands of the Eastern Caribbean switch their allegiances from Taiwan to China, they find themselves entering the circuits of both the global Chinese-state development project and the overseas Chinese (entrepreneurial) diaspora.

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Why is it important?

This paper looks at China's growing influence and impact in the Caribbean, both in terms of state-to-state diplomatic and donor connections and a new stream of private SME entrepreneurial immigrants. The Caribbean is significant as one of the last remaining regions of an ongoing diplomatic contestation between the PRC and Taiwan.