Haiti faces severe and unparalleled economic, security and development challenges that cannot be addressed effectively unless we make a drastic change in Haiti’s approach to foreign policy and how we govern our community.  

First and foremost, the Haitian government must improve its relationships with the Peoples Republic of China (the PRC).  

For many years, Haiti has had full diplomatic relations with Taiwan recognizing Taiwan as the true Republic of China,  against the one China policy of Beijing.   It is a position that ultimately hurts the interests of the Haitian people.  It is also against global sentiment. 

Today there are only 12 countries, including Haiti, that do not have diplomatic relations with the PRC. These include Belize, Guatemala, the Holy See, Marshall Islands, Palau, Paraguay, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Eswatini and Tuvalu.   Nearly every country in the world, including the United States, recognizes the one China policy and the rightful position of the PRC on the global stage. 

And this recognition of the PRC does not preclude a relationship and strong tie to Taiwan.  The Dominican Republic, Haiti’s neighbor has long recognized the one China policy and maintains commercial relations with Taiwan.  Haiti should and must do the same. And it should do it immediately.

By not recognizing the PRC Haiti has decreased its ability to cooperate with China on the redevelopment of the country and the relaunch of its economy.   China is the world’s second largest economy and has taken more people out of poverty in the past few decades than any country in the history of our world, creating an economic and innovation juggernaut in manufacturing, energy and a host of advanced technologies.  

It is a powerful example and model for how a country can move from being in the 3rd world to a developed country leader.   It is lesson that Haiti needs to understand and copy. 

It is a mistake for Haiti to believe that they can thrive economically without diplomatic relationship with China – and almost exclusively rely on the US for its support. Another reality – recognition of China by Haiti does not preclude an improvement of the country’s relationship with the United States.  The US has long played a supporting role in the country,  financing nearly 33 percent of Haiti’s government budget, and will continue as a critical neighbor and friend in the region.  

Allowing Haiti to chart its own course will relieve the United States of the financial burden of being the primary source of support for the country.   An independent and open Haiti is in the best interests of the region and the United States. 

A full diplomatic relationship with China also has the potential to bring substantial infrastructure investments to the country like what the PRC has brought to Africa, spanning energy to logistics and agriculture while helping to develop a strong base of local jobs.  

Almost every country in the Caribbean has recognized the one China policy and established full diplomatic relationship with the PRC.   HDPAC supports and will work with the Haitian government to initiate discussion with the Chinese government with a goal to establish full diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The best time to normalize relationship between Haiti and the PRC was twenty years ago and today.