HAVANA, Cuba - Yibo Shen came to Cuba five years ago to study Spanish at the University of Havana. He’s still here, working and passing time in Chinese restaurants on the weekends, one of a growing number of Chinese who are living here as Cuban-Chinese trade booms. China is now Cuba’s second-largest trading partner, after Venezuela. Trade between Cuba and China soared last year to $2.4 billion, Ricardo Alarcon, Cuba’s national assembly president, said during a recent trip to China. China’s oil company is exploring offshore oil and Chinese businesses are flourishing. Inexpensive Chinese sneakers and auto parts fill Havana’s bare-bones shops and Chinese pharmaceuticals are being developed in ventures with Cuban firms. ‘We expect a substantial increase in Chinese visitors to Cuba,’ Alarcon said in China. China’s Xinhua news agency reported in March that 10,000 Chinese visit Cuba each year. A 45-year trade embargo prevents most U.S. businesses from trading with Cuba, and a U.S.-imposed travel ban keeps most Americans from visiting the island. But the Chinese have no such difficulties. Shen, for example, represents one of China’s largest bus manufacturers, the Yutong Group. In just a few years here he’s sold thousands […]
Friday, June 22nd, 2007
Growing Trade with China Reinvigorates Havana’s Chinatown
Author: NATHANIEL HOFFMAN
Source: McClatchy Newspapers
Publication Date: Thu, Jun. 21, 2007
Link: Growing Trade with China Reinvigorates Havana’s Chinatown
Source: McClatchy Newspapers
Publication Date: Thu, Jun. 21, 2007
Link: Growing Trade with China Reinvigorates Havana’s Chinatown
Stephan: As this is happening, the McClatchy papers report, 'In the first vote on Cuba legislation under a Democrat-controlled Congress, the House on Thursday easily approved a big increase in money for U.S. programs that support dissidents on the island.'
This involves both Democrats and Republicans. It may be that an America incapable of producing a competent government is destined for diminishment.