Chinese expert warns Caribbean countries to be true to themselves

Photo: Professor Dr. Wang Yiewi , director of the Institute of International Affairs at Renmin University of China speaking to Caribbean journalists, in Beijing, China. (Photo taken by Angelo Jedidiah).

Angelo Jedidiah

angelo.jedidiah@guardian.co.tt

As Trinidad and Tobago continues to modernise, a Chinese expert has advised Caribbean countries to avoid imitation, stay true to their own identities and prioritize the well-being of citizens.

This was the message conveyed by international relations expert Professor Dr. Wang Yiewi to a group of Caribbean journalists participating in a media exchange programme in Beijing, China.

China has emerged as a highly modernised nation and has displayed rapid development over the past few decades, evident in its technological advancements and urbanisation.

According to Forbes, China currently possesses the world’s second-largest economy and continues to make significant improvements in various sectors such as health and education.

Despite their notable progress, Dr. Wang stated that China does not plan to adopt Western policies that would lead to the idea of dominating and controlling other nations.

“There is no need for China to colonise other places,” he said.

Dr Wang urged countries and their governments to reassess their approach to modernisation, suggesting they should not be limited to subjecting themselves to Western or American ideologies.

Dr Wang added that, as seen with Chinese modernisation, when embarked upon, modernisation should not solely benefit the wealthy.

China believes that modernisation and development should allow common prosperity for all, with human well-being being the main focus. He emphasised that governments must also be people-centred.

While there remains criticism of China’s governance and development, Dr Wang said the country’s approach has allowed human equity and sustainability to contribute to an improved standard of living.

Wang added that China’s modernisation strategy has led to initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, from which countries like Trinidad and Tobago can benefit as they pursue their individual paths to modernisation.

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