China is steadily, albeit quietly, deepening its ties in the Caribbean region using many of the same techniques that it did in the early 2000s when it ramped up its engagement in Africa. The Chinese are buying more agriculture, building infrastructure, and integrating a growing number of Caribbean states into its Belt and Road global trade agenda.

But Rasheed Griffith, host of the China in the Caribbean Podcast, cautions that while Beijing’s engagement in the Caribbean may look a lot like what it’s doing in Africa and other developing regions, there are some important differences.