Businessman requests MOU from Chinese ambassador

China ambassador to Dominica Wang Zonglai been greeted by junior minister Alvin Bernard.

Brisbane said the letter is in response to comments made by the ambassador in which he blamed a few people in Dominica for harboring resentment against the Chinese. The ambassador went on to say that most Dominicans welcome the fruits of the bilateral relations between the two countries but others have misgivings “due to misunderstanding and a lack of information.”

In his letter of April 13, 2011, Brisbane told the ambassador that these misgivings could easily be avoided if Dominicans knew of the contents of the MOU. According to Brisbane, “I am sure you would agree that having the opportunity to review this MOU would help all Dominicans to more easily understand a subsequent quote by you that “China’s foreign aid is based on the principles of equality, reciprocity, common development and non-political-preconditions.”

Brisbane said that he is particularly interested in finding out what Dominica is expected to give in return for the Chinese assistance and if there are any non political preconditions tied to it. He went on to say that it is precisely this lack of information “that makes many of us apprehensive”. In addition, he pressed the ambassador to speak to the relevant government authorities to make this all important document available to the general public.

In recent days, there has been a lot of concern expressed by individuals and the local business community about the rapid growth of the Chinese business class in Dominica as they continue to drive indigenous businesses out of the capital Roseau.