China's presence in American backyards could allow communist countries to access Florida's coast, coinciding with a dramatic increase in Chinese border encounters.
The Caribbean, also known as the “American Third Border” due to its proximity to the United States, has been financially supported by China in recent years with maritime logistics and infrastructure projects.
“I think Chinese people are trying to gain influence in areas very close to their American homeland,” Gordon G. Chang, author and expert on US-China relations, told Fox News Digital.
Chang pointed to the $3.4 billion Freeport Container Port project in the Bahamas, 87 miles east of Palm Beach, Florida.
Report from The House Foreign Affairs Committee found that China invested more than $10 billion in six Caribbean countries between 2005 and 2022.
Why Trump's target should be China, not Panama
Palm Beach shopping views in Palm Beach, Florida. (John Para/Getty Images)
Panama Canal and China's influence
During his inauguration speech, President Donald Trump reiterated his desire to regain control of the Panama Canal, an important strategic waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
“More than anything, China runs the Panama Canal, and we didn't hand it over to China. We handed it over to Panama.
The United States managed it from its completion in 1914 until it was handed over to Panama in 1977 in 1999. Torrijos-Carter Treaty. The treaty allows the US military to preserve canal neutrality and allows the US to use the canal forever.
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Chinese companies have invested heavily in ports and terminals near the canal. The Hong Kong-based company operates two of the five ports near the entrance.
“This will take time as China did not take over the canal zone with its soldiers. They will be wearing business attire with large check books and cash suitcases. I took over that,” he said. “And the US needs to bring its own cash to drive China out of the canal zone and Panama.”
Gordon G. Chan discussed the impact of China's blossoming in the Caribbean and how the Trump administration should be wary. (Fox News Digital)
For decades, the US had turned its eye on the Western Hemisphere when it came to national security, Chan said. But the Trump administration tried to change that in the first few weeks of his inauguration.
As evidence, Chang pointed to Secretary of State Rubio's trip to Panama as his first foreign trip as America's top diplomat.
“I think that shows that at least initially, President Trump's foreign policy will focus on North and South America,” he said. “It's been more than a century that the US president has focused on his main principles on a country closest to the US.”
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An influx of Chinese immigrants
The increased Chinese influence in the West is correlated with an increase in the number of Chinese immigrants arrested at both the northern and southern borders.
The number of Chinese citizens has increased significantly since 2021. In 2022, more than 24,000 people met in 2023, and in the first half of 2024, 24,376 met. May 2024 Report by the House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee on Surveillance, Investigation and Accountability.
Chang said the border first saw an influx of family groups fleeing China to the US, but now two-thirds of Chinese immigrants who come to the US are single soldiers, traveling alone and English He said he insisted not to speak.
“And I've noticed that Border Patrol has come across packs between 4 and 15 in some of these packs. “It's an ominous sign.”
Immigrants in Jacamba, California. Border authorities are fighting the influx of Chinese immigrants in the main border sector. (Robert Gautier/Los Angeles Times Getty Images)
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Chang has seen an influx of family groups that first flee from China to the US; Currently, two-thirds of Chinese immigrants entering the United States are single men of military age who claim to travel alone and do not speak English.
“Border Patrol has noticed that he's come across in some of these packs, between 4 and 15. “It's an ominous sign.”
Fox News Digital has contacted the US State Department for comment.
