While America is preoccupied with the war in Iraq (cost: half a trillion dollars and counting), and while think-tank economists continue to spit out papers debating whether vital resources are running out at all, China's leadership isn't taking any chances. In just a few years, the People's Republic of China (PRC) has become the most aggressive investor-nation in Africa. This commercial invasion is without question the most important development in the sub-Sahara since the end of the Cold War -- an epic, almost primal propulsion that is redrawing the global economic map. One former U.S. assistant secretary of state has called it a "tsunami." Some are even calling the region "ChinAfrica."

Question: Should the Dominican Republic and other emerging economies cozy up to the de-facto new world power; or should we maintain our present level of relationship with the U.S and Europe?

True; but shouldn't the DR hedge its bets during the transition period?

LOL. 'Nuff said

Jacirez, how can there be any rational discussions when this kind of mentality is involved? pro African bastard? KONG OBAMA? do i detect a trace of Racism here? yes, i do. where does Africa fit into the equation? because the august letroudeballe sees Haiti as an extension of Africa, and the DR as a European outpost. might i remind this good fellow that the options have narrowed. firstly, China, at present is not much of an option for the DR, because Leonel already screwed that pooch by lining up with Taiwan. the Chinese, i assure you, are not amused. this call by ignoramuses to jettison the USA is based on the supposition that the USA is finished, and that the new and benevolent ruler of all things, China, will make everyone's pain go away. well, just look at the economic development in China, and get real! it is the most polluted place on earth, because they care not one whit for the environment. there are no labor laws, and they are more rapacious, exploitative capitalists than the USA which people abhor so much. they have no problems manufacturing products that will kill children, because the only thing they care about is building up the coffers, to rule the earth. if anybody is naive and simpleminded enough to believe that they are going to introduce some paradigm shift toward benign and respectful relationships with their trading partners, then i suggest Lithium. and all you numbskulls who think that Uncle Sam is dead, here is my suggestion. put the black suit back in the closet. you will not live long enough to attend his funeral.

Dread (my, bad!),
I agree with you insofar as China’s motives and track record. As I have said before, I may not be a fan of Uncle Sam; but at least the U.S has a "tradition" of giving the "appearance" of respecting Human rights, Labour and Environmental Laws, Nation Building, etc.
China has one goal and goal only: The Economic, Political, Military and Cultural ascendency of China in the world.

As far the U.S is concerned, I would not say the U.S is "dead"; however, I find it highly unlikely they will stop or even reverse their spiral into irrelevance. The Cliché "Third World Country with Nukes" may be a bit much; but it is eerily descriptive. I would be interested to see how the U.S would get itself out of it current predicament and into a position of economic and cultural pre-eminence without a Manufacturing, Engineering & Design or Cultural base of which to speak of…

Jacirez, you are losing it. GC did not post in this thread.

My Bad! I corrected it...

Jacirez I have to take back my early suspicions and commend you. At least you are using your creative powers to put forth a vision, one of vitality, vigor and strength. The rest of the locals are just fearful, stagnant, last men. Instead of forging values of a Dominican nation they are all tied up in oversensitive defenses of the old, dying idols of race, left vs right wing, etc. They have a long way to go before they overcome those tired old paradigms...and sadly they are prob amongst the more developed of what DR offers. Your straightforward approach is what threw me J. As our boy Friedrich said "honest things, like honest men, do not carry their reasons in their hands like that. It is indecent to show all five fingers."

You can find my statements in comment #1,095 - Posted 19 March 2009, 3:31 PM of the Racism in DR thread and a link I'll send. We share some similarities, you are simply much more willing to descend from the heights to (t)roll in the mud and to insult the very crowds of working men who await the arrival of the possible. Well the forum truly deserves you, keep up the good work!

Manhattanite,

Thank you

I am not an advocate of racism, but nor am I a defender of unity, specially of the merging of two countries that were adversaries in the past. I am not oblivious to the detrimental situation lurks in Haiti, but I am not in favor of sacrificing the stability ( if there's any ) of this country. I am not against controlled immigration as long as it stimulates the quality of living for the nation. That man, Kong Obama guy had a point. It is very easy for the US to accuse us of violating the rights of the Haitians, but what do they do with the Mexicans? They not only violate their civil rights, but also their human rights. They label people as terrorists to get rid of them and torture them and to hold them in detention without charges! Get real, every time the US talks about rights it is an ignominy.
And as for your jingoistic aptitude, you might as well try to find another placebo for your deliriums of grandeur. The US is falling and will fall even harder if you care to know. The why do you think the gov't has not put any pressure on outsourcing? meanwhile we have millions of people who are going through extreme hardship? The US is being brought down by the same people that are at the highest ranks of power, who are surreptitiously paving the road to the demise of the US to the hands of the world elite.
I am not patriotic. I do not adhere nor do I pledge allegiance to a country, because the country is the patrimony of a few people that manipulate and stimulate the sentiment of patriotism so that we can defend their interest when they need it, And that collude inconspicuously to fulfill their own agenda when the times are good.
I don't care about the DR as a nation, and neither do I care about any nation. I care about those that surround me and the rest are accessories and 2,000,000 Haitians in the country are not accessories, they are a plague. We need to do something if we want to have a nation for our children. It is not a matter of race, it is a matter of security, stability and progress. Don't you think? I don't blame it on the Haitians, they are only trying to do better, the problem is the vast majority of Dominicans, that don't realize the situation because they are so absorbed by the media, drugs and vices that they don't see it coming. While the Haitians are working hard and sending the money out of the country and also getting educated. I am not a racist but I also know that the Haitians only stand us and do not clash with us because they are not in the position right now.
I say it like it is, we can't stand for this shite. We have a nation, or so many of us think, that the fore Fathers fought for against those people. The massacred many of our compatriots and violated their wives. We must not forget that, but nor should we promote hatred or tolerance for this invasion. We must control it. They destroyed their land and made it barren, why should we pay for their ineptitude?
If the Dominicans don't wake up soon, they will never wake up again to see the light of day, because darkness is going to creep in each and every home and the sun that shone once upon a time is going to be obscured for ever. Ominous ? Racist? Pedant? Call it what you will: I am a realist.