China's cooperation with Antigua has always been in the interest of its people, comes with no strings attached and is not aimed at any other party, the Chinese embassy in Antigua said in response to a Newsweek article on the Caribbean island's growing ties with Beijing.
Newsweek's investigation reported on China's increasing involvement on the island through diplomacy and state-owned companies, the signing of a private company deal in January for a new Chinese "Special Economic Zone," and agreements that among other things would encourage Antiguan officials to study Chinese leader Xi Jinping's thoughts on governance. The article also quoted concerns from the U.S. military's Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) over China's expanding presence in Antigua and in the Caribbean region.
"Cooperation between China and Antigua and Barbuda has always been oriented towards people's livelihood from the very beginning when we had diplomatic relations 41 years ago," embassy spokesperson Pang Qingjie said in a letter to Newsweek dated April 23 that highlighted numerous Chinese projects.
"China never attaches any political strings to such cooperation, never imposes its will on others, never makes empty promises, and never targets any third party."
Pang said that this was consistent with Chinese foreign policy that sticks to equal treatment and "win-win cooperation".
"China welcomes cooperation with all countries, including Antigua and Barbuda and the US, following the principles of mutual respect, fairness and justice, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, and advances mutually beneficial cooperation based on compliance with laws and regulations," Pang said.
Newsweek cited leaked documents that showed a "Special Economic Zone" set up by Chinese citizens and China-born persons had been incorporated in Antigua in January with privileges granted by the government including for independent immigration and customs formalities and a company to assist the Antigua Coast Guard in regulating territorial waters, for fishing purposes. Other documents showed a dedicated airline had been incorporated for the zone, which will also have a shipping port and a company allowed to issue passports.
In its article, Newsweek cited the U.S. military's Southern Command as expressing concern at these and other developments in a region that traditionally has been a U.S. sphere of influence. It also quoted opposition politicians in Antigua as voicing concern at the extent of Chinese influence.
Newsweek quoted diplomats from Europe and Asia in the region as saying they suspected China's large new embassy in Antigua may be a regional intelligence center.
Pang dismissed such suspicions.
"China has always opposed confrontation in this region, for this is entirely the opposite of what the region urgently needs, nor is this consistent with the development trend of the world," Pang said.
"The Caribbean island nations are the homeland of their peoples, not the "backyard" nor "front yard" of any country. Their right to independent development cannot be deprived, and their region should not become an arena for competition among major countries."
Pang emphasized that China also sought cooperation with the United States and noted the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to China.
"China has always believed that China and the US stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation," Pang said.
This is the full text of the letter:
Journalistic objectivity should be adhered to
Dear editor,
I read an article Newsweek carried on April 19, titled "China Building New Outpost on U.S. Doorstep". The article has made irresponsible remarks and leveled groundless accusations about the bilateral cooperation between China and Antigua and Barbuda, trying to discredit and smear the Chinese Embassy in Antigua and Barbuda. Since it is driven by preconceived notions, and is in no compliance with Journalistic objectivity, I would like to share the following points of fact:
Firstly, it has always been consistent and clear that China's foreign policy sticks to equal treatment and win-win cooperation. In the era of globalization, as a major developing country, China is committed to promoting common development with other countries while focusing on its development. China welcomes cooperation with all countries, including Antigua and Barbuda and the US, following the principles of mutual respect, fairness and justice, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, and advances mutually beneficial cooperation based on compliance with laws and regulations. China's goals are to enable its people to live a better life, share the fruits of development with the rest of the world, and promote building a community with a shared future for mankind, rather than engage in geostrategic competition with any country.
Cooperation between China and Antigua and Barbuda has always been oriented towards people's livelihood from the very beginning when we had diplomatic relations 41 years ago. From as early as the 1990s on, landmark projects were completed with the joint efforts of both sides, the Big Creek Bridge, the Multipurpose Cultural and Exhibition Center, the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, the new terminal building of the V.C. Bird International Airport, and the Deep Water Harbor port, to name a few. All these projects have directly benefited the people of Antigua and Barbuda and played a positive role in promoting the economic and social development and tourism industry. In the course of cooperation, China never attaches any political strings to such cooperation, never imposes its will on others, never makes empty promises, and never targets any third party. The so-called "traded its sovereignty", "pursuing colonization" and "stealth through locking countries in with loans" in the article, completely distort the facts and unduly mislead the public.
Secondly, Developing countries should be treated as equal partners. China always holds that all countries, regardless of size, should be treated as equals. all countries have the right to independently choose their development partners. Between China and Antigua and Barbuda, based on fully respecting each other's will and cultural traditions, to help each other and deepen South-South cooperation is simply natural, fully justified, and always done above board. China has always opposed confrontation in this region, for this is entirely the opposite of what the region urgently needs, nor is this consistent with the development trend of the world.
The Caribbean island nations are the homeland of their peoples, not the "backyard" nor "front yard" of any country. Their right to independent development cannot be deprived, and their region should not become an arena for competition among major countries. It is hoped that no country should engage in zero-sum games or exclusive arrangements, more countries would provide practical assistance for the island countries and bring more benefits to their peoples. The so-called "diplomatic fortress", "intelligence center", "listening post", or "military purposes", are completely fabricated and cannot stand the test of facts and time.
Thirdly, in today's world, countries are more interconnected and interdependent than ever before, and mankind is living in the same global village. Never has the connection between countries been so close as it is today, and the aspiration of the people of the world for a better life has never been so strong.
China has always believed that China and the US stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. The visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to China from April 24 to 26 is part of the China-US efforts to implement the consensus of the San Francisco meeting of the heads of the two countries and to maintain dialogue, manage differences, promote cooperation, and strengthen coordination in international affairs. We hope that the visit will achieve positive results. We also hope that the media reporters and other people concerned will abandon the Cold War mentality, stop spreading false information about the so-called "potentially the greatest external challenge", and contribute more comments conducive to win-win cooperation and common development.
Pang Qingjie
Spokesperson of Chinese Embassy
In Antigua and Barbuda
04/23/2024
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