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By Didi Kirsten Tatlow
Senior Correspondent, International Affairs
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The Caribbean island of Antigua is friends of both China and the United States and its relationship with China is not in any way sinister or dangerous to U.S. interests, the chief of staff of the government of Prime Minister Gaston Browne said in response to a Newsweek article on its growing ties with Beijing.
The Newsweek investigation highlighted 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.
"China has proven to be a reliable developmental partner and a good friend to many small and large states around the globe," Lionel Hurst wrote.
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"Antigua and Barbuda is also a great friend of the United States. Our soldiers are trained by SouthCom, our security is bolstered by U.S. Coast Guard and other branches of the U.S. military, and our number one trading partner is the United States."
"There was a time when the USA was exceedingly generous and helpful in engineering a sustainable future for its friendly neighbors in the Caribbean." Now, "its diplomats complain bitterly and publicly that the US Congress deprives the State Department of the resources needed to continue to win friends and influence leaders," Hurst wrote.
The Newsweek article included extensive comment from an interview with Browne, but Hurst rejected what he said was the characterization of the relationship with China.
"We completely reject your characterization of the friendship between Antigua and Barbuda and the People's Republic of China as being somehow sinister and dangerous to the United States and its interests," Hurst wrote in the letter addressed to Newsweek and published on Antigua News Room, a news website.
Newsweek's newsroom declined to comment.
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 and involvement under Browne's government.
Hurst's letter was also posted on Browne's Facebook page.
There, Browne wrote: "We are peace practitioners, advocating for peace and cooperation among nations. We are friends of all; enemies of none."
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