China unveils new regional strategy with sharper focus on Caribbean region

China has announced a sweeping new policy paper for Latin America and the Caribbean, signaling its most targeted outreach yet to Caribbean nations as geopolitical shifts reshape global power dynamics.

The document, Beijing’s third major blueprint for the region, presents the Caribbean as a central partner in China’s expanding Global South diplomacy and outlines wide-ranging plans across infrastructure, trade, security, culture and climate cooperation.

The paper opens with China’s assessment of a world undergoing rapid transformation, marked by slow economic growth, regional conflicts and mounting global challenges. Within this context, China frames the Global South, including the Caribbean, as an increasingly influential force and positions itself as a long-standing partner committed to shared development. It also links its agenda to President Xi Jinping’s flagship initiatives on global development, security and governance, describing them as frameworks that can support modernization across the region.

China recounts its evolving ties with Latin America and the Caribbean, beginning with early cultural contacts and growing through decades of diplomatic engagement. Previous policy papers issued in 2008 and 2016 laid the foundation for comprehensive cooperation, and China now says the relationship has advanced into a new phase defined by equality, mutual benefit and openness. The paper characterizes the region and China as building a “community with a shared future,” a phrase Beijing uses to signal long-term strategic commitment.

Infrastructure, climate resilience and financing emerge as top priorities for Caribbean partners

Development cooperation forms the core of the new strategy and carries particular weight for Caribbean governments. China promises stronger support for implementing the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and commits to expanding high-quality Belt and Road projects. The paper highlights opportunities for Chinese investment in Caribbean transportation networks, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, housing and climate-resilient construction. It also outlines plans to increase financial engagement through concessional loans, special development funds, investment protection agreements and greater use of local currency settlements.

Trade ties are expected to grow, with China pledging to increase imports of Caribbean products and improve market access through trade fairs, customs cooperation and quarantine facilitation. The policy also expands cooperation in agriculture, disaster mitigation, environmental protection, fisheries, energy and advanced science and technology, including artificial intelligence, space applications and satellite-based monitoring, tools that are especially crucial for island states vulnerable to natural disasters.

Beyond economics, China sets out goals to strengthen cultural and educational links through Confucius Institutes, scholarships, teacher training, youth exchanges and vocational programs. Health cooperation is also a major feature, with commitments to send medical teams, train healthcare workers and support disease prevention. The paper calls for deeper collaboration in law enforcement, anti-corruption efforts, peacekeeping, cybersecurity and broader regional security dialogue. Tourism is identified as a future growth area, with plans for a China–LAC Tourism Dialogue to increase visitor flows as connectivity expands.

China’s new regional strategy marks a significant shift toward more intensive Caribbean engagement, offering economic opportunities and climate resilience support at a time when many island nations face severe financial pressure. Yet the policy also places the Caribbean more firmly within the sphere of major-power competition, requiring governments to balance new opportunities with longstanding alliances. As China seeks a larger role in the region, the Caribbean’s response will help shape its economic development and diplomatic influence in the years to come.