UWI to host summit on Chinese expansion in the Caribbean
THE GOVERNMENT of the People’s Republic of China through its embassy in Jamaica has partnered with the Department of Government at the University of the West Indies to host a summit under the theme ‘China in the Caribbean: History, Politics, Diplomacy and Enterprise’. This summit will take place at the University’s Regional Headquarters on May 30 at 10 a.m.
Head of the Department of Government Dr Lloyd Waller noted that the Caribbean is at a critical point in its history in shaping international alliances and carving out for itself a niche on the international markets.
Waller indicated that for far too long the conversation has been one-sided, and so it is time for the conversation to be extended to facilitate the voicing of China’s own view of their intention in their Caribbean expansion. He concluded that the time could have been no more perfect for the Chinese government to initiate this partnership.
“I am truly excited, primarily because there has been too many speculations and uncertainties about China’s intention with their expansion in the region, and this summit will definitely provide an avenue for deeper fact finding and a more refined understanding of the issues,” Waller noted.
Governance specialist and director
of the Department of Government’s Logistics and Events Planning Hub, Shinique Walters, noted that the summit will see a wide cross section of government officials, scholars, and technocrats from across the region in attendance. She noted that while the planning and logistics for the summit are for the most part complete, there is still a view to engage new stakeholders to be part of the conversation.