Jamaica-China Relations: Formal Economic Development and Informal Decision-Making and Governance

Abstract:

In recent times, Caribbean states have been diversifying their relationships with non-Western countries such as China, in an attempt to further their economic development. Jamaica, for example, has been the recipient of numerous Chinese loans and grants which has raised concerns by citizens regarding reciprocity. This is exacerbated by the fact that there is a lack of full public disclosure by the Jamaican Government surrounding many of these agreements.

This paper will explore deals made by the Jamaican Government with the Chinese especially as it pertains to labour importation, tax incentives and even land exchange. Have we been leveraging our sovereignty in exchange for economic assistance? What exactly is the level of formal discussion that takes place before these agreements are made? Seemingly our political representatives are often more concerned with the short term agenda of attracting aid and capital flows and in many instances, neglect to take into consideration the long term consequences of their decisions. This paper will examine the implications of Jamaica’s continued engagement with the Chinese under this informal modus operandi of the government.