As the People’s Republic of China (PRC) continues its cultural and economic expansion in Barbados and the Caribbean, there is concern about that global power’s motivation. The question is whether those concerns are justified.China has been on the charm offensive for several years. It has engaged in partnerships with the Barbados government for major infrastructural projects included the Wildey Gymnasium, the failed Four Seasons Project, expansion of the Barbados Community College, the Barbados Tourism Investment Inc multi-storey car park and offices on the Princess Alice Highway in Bridgetown, and the controversial Warrens Office Complex (aka Barrack Building) to name a few.One of the largest projects supported by Chinese funding and labour is the soon-to-be-completed 420-room Sam Lord’s Castle Resort in St Philip.Billed to be a major economic accelerator for the parish and the island, the Five Diamond resort to be operated by the Wyndham Grand Resort, is set to hire at least 300 beginning next month for a winter season opening. That number is expected to rise to about 1,000 when the hotel is fully operational.
