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Antigua: sprawling 'Chinese colony' plan across marine reserve ignites opposition
Source: The Guardian
Antigua: sprawling 'Chinese colony' plan across marine reserve ignites opposition
Opponents warn construction of the Yida project, which includes a manufacturing hub, puts island at risk of hurricane damage
Gemma Handy in St John's
Thu 20 Jun 2019 09.00 BST Last modified on Thu 20 Jun 2019 19.30 BST
Plans to construct a sprawling “Chinese colony” complete with factories, homes and holiday resorts across a pristine marine reserve in Antigua have ignited a storm of controversy on the Caribbean island.
Known locally as the Yida project after its main investor, Yida Zhang, the scheme includes plans for a manufacturing hub which promises several hundred jobs and increased exports.
But opponents, including local activists and environmentalists, warn that construction is already decimating valuable coastal vegetation, threatening the habitat of critically endangered animals and putting the island at greater risk of hurricane damage.
Chinese-funded development and infrastructure projects – often delivered via low-interest loans – are not new in the Caribbean.
What sets the Yida project apart – in addition to its sheer size, which spans more than 2,000 acres – is that Chinese investors have been given a license to establish their own special economic zone for the new community’s residents and businesses who will benefit from tax waivers.
-snip-
Opponents warn construction of the Yida project, which includes a manufacturing hub, puts island at risk of hurricane damage
Gemma Handy in St John's
Thu 20 Jun 2019 09.00 BST Last modified on Thu 20 Jun 2019 19.30 BST
Plans to construct a sprawling “Chinese colony” complete with factories, homes and holiday resorts across a pristine marine reserve in Antigua have ignited a storm of controversy on the Caribbean island.
Known locally as the Yida project after its main investor, Yida Zhang, the scheme includes plans for a manufacturing hub which promises several hundred jobs and increased exports.
But opponents, including local activists and environmentalists, warn that construction is already decimating valuable coastal vegetation, threatening the habitat of critically endangered animals and putting the island at greater risk of hurricane damage.
Chinese-funded development and infrastructure projects – often delivered via low-interest loans – are not new in the Caribbean.
What sets the Yida project apart – in addition to its sheer size, which spans more than 2,000 acres – is that Chinese investors have been given a license to establish their own special economic zone for the new community’s residents and businesses who will benefit from tax waivers.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/20/antigua-yida-project-chinese-colony-controversy
