Gordon Chang, an authority on U.S.-China relations, recently addressed China's increasing influence in the Caribbean, a development posing potential threats to Florida's security. China's engagement in the Caribbean, often referred to as America's third border, has been marked by significant investments in maritime logistics and infrastructure. Notably, the $3.4 billion Freeport Container port project in the Bahamas, merely 87 miles from Palm Beach, underscores this reality. A House Foreign Affairs Committee report highlighted that China invested over $10 billion in six Caribbean nations between 2005 and 2022. This strategic advance coincides with a surge in Chinese migration to the U.S., particularly through Florida's borders. Border Patrol statistics reveal a dramatic increase in encounters with Chinese nationals, especially single men of military age, raising questions about national security. As President Donald Trump emphasized the importance of focusing on threats closer to home, emerging geopolitical dynamics could profoundly influence Florida's coast as China continues to strengthen its foothold in the region.
