China’s growing economic footprint in the Bahamas, just 50 miles from Florida, is raising alarm bells in Washington over potential national security threats disguised as commercial development.
At a Glance
- China expands influence in Bahamas mixing economic and geopolitical aims.
- Concerns about dual-use infrastructure projects just miles from U.S. shores.
- U.S. risks losing regional influence, enriching Chinese interests.
- China’s investments may be aiming for long-term geopolitical gains.
China’s Growing Influence
The Bahamas, only a few nautical miles from the United States, is witnessing China’s burgeoning presence through strategic economic projects. China’s ventures, like the development of mega-ports and luxury resorts, intertwine economic development with potential geopolitical strategies, sending ripples of concern through U.S. defense circles. These projects demonstrate China’s expanding footprint, raising the question of whether the economic benefit excuses the security compromise. Retired Rear Adm. Peter Brown observed, according to Newsweek, “The People’s Republic of China has been making diplomatic, economic, and even military and quasi-military inroads into the Caribbean, South and Central America for the past couple of decades.”
China’s elevated interests in the Caribbean have undeniably far-reaching implications. Its dual-use infrastructure projects could serve economic purposes and facilitate intelligence gathering. Landmarks like the Chinese-controlled British Colonial Hotel, right across from the U.S. Embassy in Nassau, loom ominous. The possibility of these establishments being leveraged for data collection or undermining U.S. security is of paramount concern.
Strategic Infrastructure Investments
China’s financial entrenchment in the Bahamas speaks volumes, with massive investments like a $3 billion mega-port and nearly $3 billion splurged on the Baha Mar Resort. The Chinese EXIM Bank has loaned over $54 million for infrastructure, including highways, making it clear that the Bahamas is far from just a tropical paradise in China’s eyes. While these projects may bolster local economies, they raise alarms about their dual-purpose potentials, according to Fox News.
Beijing’s interest in the region took strides post-Hurricane Dorian in 2019 when it strategically increased its presence under the guise of aid. As Marco Rubio noted, “By targeting the Bahamian government in this period of crisis, Beijing would be making the same opportunistic play to access critical foreign infrastructure,” reported by Fox News. China’s foothold just off the Florida coast is a security peril Washington can scarcely overlook.
U.S. Response and Concerns
The looming question is how the U.S. mainstreams its influence without downplaying the proactive measures China is taking. With the Caribbean being critical for U.S. military testing and space pathways, relinquishing dominance may cost heavily. Governor Ron DeSantis has responded with legislative countermeasures targeting the purchase of property and technology by Chinese nationals. Yet, this step alone might not suffice against China’s comprehensive Belt and Road Initiative enveloping the region, as explained by Newsweek.
Retired Rear Adm. Peter Brown starkly remarked, “It doesn’t take a lot of imagination for the People’s Republic of China to use its commercial footprint in the Bahamas to monitor, exploit and perhaps even do worse to [the] U.S.” The onus is on Washington to secure its regional alliances more robustly than ever, as Florida may very well become a focal point in China’s long-term strategic gambits.
