TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Pearl Caribbean China Project Groundbreaking

Please continue discussion here regarding the China/Belair project.

Groundbreaking Article

Thank you.

Interesting.....

"Gibson said he understands the shock because of the government of St. Maarten did not have to engage in months of discussions or drag its feet for too long before they could reach this stage. "

Well, to me it was quite obvious that they had to shove it through quickly (without any environmental studies, or consultation with anyone, etc., etc.) because of the upcoming elections.

i may be wrong....but didn't i read somewhere that this project is just a larger scale of another projecct that did the studies.....and had their permits to build?? There seems to be a lot of promises made by the developers to buy a brand new equipped ambulance.....air conditioners......solar panels for all the schools....and who else knows what more?? I wouldn't doubt, the the speed this project is going, that there must've been some HUGE PAYOFFS to the government officials also. (of course we will never know this.....but since when do things go so fast in sxm?) Time will tell.....

Who knows...with the possibility of a President Trump here in the USA, and his obvious ties and financial commitments to China, that SXM is just another step closer to the US economy. We may be speaking Mandarin not just at home soon....but also on our vacations.... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I believe some of the things you mentioned are addressed in the article that is linked to.

Hmmmmm.....

Another article in the Herald.
https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/60...hinese-investor

It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. The political rhetoric is over the top with all kinds of positive spin.

Yeah, the rhetoric is pretty deep. I have a hard time believing that the Chinese would fly half way round the word to hold a conference. And if they did come how much disposable income would they have to spend outside of the complex? Because if there was only a little money spent outside the complex, that spending wouldn't help SXMer's much. Wouldn't it be more prudent to partner with an already existing resort to do this. Alegria is pretty much empty. So I would think they would bend over backwards for the business.

Wendell

The big players here seem to be investing in property elsewhere... The project in Bahamas went belly up NOT what SXM needs... a half finished resort that goes bankrupt.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2...adise-went-bust <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Yes, someone had posted a link to that story here before. The whole project makes absolutely no sense to me.

All this stuff also about how they are going to protect the environment is a piece of malarky. Google "pollution in China"..... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Why does this project make no sense to you ?

None of the numbers make any sense and there is no logic to having people come all the way from China to SXM, when there are easily a couple dozen places that are much easier to get to logistically, cheaper, quicker, and which are already receiving a significant number of Chinese tourists. SXM has no infrastructure to accept Chinese tourists, from even a language standpoint..

What do you think of the project, Lesley? As a resident, are you in favor?

As a resident this project will make positive improvements for the Island Economy in general. First of all the construction work will be handle by local contractors, and the Hotel when completed will provide over four hundred jobs for all locals. The subject of Mandarin is already being given at the USM. Of course all of the details is not out clearly as yet, but this project will have an good impact for the Island.

What if it is a Chinese originated project but will basically be a convention venue "Think Las Vegas" for anyone. Why does it have to be only groups from China?

Another article in today's Herald.
https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/60342-urgent-parliament-meeting-requested-on-pearl-of-china

Historically, Chinese construction projects are done by Chinese not local companies. This is the case in Africa, South America and the Caribbean. The line from the Chinese is locals do not have the skills for the complex technological aspect of the new construction. At least you will get a new ambulance, some LED light bulbs and some solar panels. Noting that the Chinese cannot sell them elsewhere because of tariffs in other large countries on the imports of Chinese solar panels and cars.

Hello , you don't know anything about how we do our projects on the Island.

Wow, this was quick.

They just announced the project and they are already ground breaking; Someone is in a hurry.

That was only a photo op ground breaking, for a picture op before the election. In one of the stories, they said the actual ground breaking is supposed to be in January. Still, very quick. Way too quick for there to be any kind of ecological studies done.

Geez Lesley............ what would you know about what's good for the island??? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

What do you mean with your statement ?

Lesley--it was a joke...

Okay thanks Carol, because I was wondering !

Kenny

Doesn't all this rhetoric sound like what the Caravanseri building project was going to do for the island? And look at what happened now.

I mean it would be great if all the jobs and commerce on island came about. But in past experiences this never happens.

Wendell

The mentioned area was originally for another Hotel project and that was placed on hold. Then after our local Insurance Company Nagico bought it and was to build a new Head Quarters there, however since just recently they Nagico sold 50% of itself for $ 142 Million to a company from Hong Kong and also decided to sell this piece of land to a another Chinese Company. Hence it's a lot of money involved and this new project will not be like Carvanserai ,period.

That is good to hear.

Wendell

Point of View
We are older Americans that have vacationed in SXM every year for more than 30 years. A project like this will dramatically change the Belair area, as we view it, in a negative way.
Younger folks, both residents and visitors may see the change as a positive move.
As far as some of the many promises made by the promoters of this project, as "mature" people we are skeptical of anyone that is used to telling people what they want to hear in order to advance their agenda.

Only thing constant in this world is change. Some will like it and some won't. I for one have seen many changes over the past years we have been going to St Maarten and can't find fault with any of them. Hope this project stays true to that record. Look at all the criticism before the causeway was build and the praise it receives now.

Yeah, I was thinking about the causeway also, reading some of the posts in this and the other thread. I hate what happened at Dawn Beach, but I visit the island once a year for a week, then I get back on a plane, and I leave. I am a guest; not a resident. It looks like the elected officials on the island will decide what is best for their island.

A fully equipped ambulance will be donated...
Solar panels will be donated to all schools...
it is not enough sorry...
The ROAD to Belair is key to the infrastructure.
I take that road from the airport to Philipsburg.
Sure if I need an ambulance it will be appreciated but the Chinese are not known for saving the beaches or ... I will stop my rant. It is up to SXM to oversee this project. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Is it planned to make a new road? sxmmartini wrote "road to Belair key to infrastructure" I'm confused. Isn't there already a nice road in place?

Obviously tongue in cheek with the two winks added. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Okay !

Tongue in cheek usually doesn't work well on a forum! Without hearing the voice behind the statement, it's often misinterpreted! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

As much as I will agree with your statement, the emoticons usually help but I personally dislike using them.

Here now .. locals are starting to question the whole deal as well. Not the last we will hear about it

Today is election day and some have said that the election would be somewhat swayed by this project. However, just kind of flipping through the stuff from the various parties, I didn't even see it mentioned in their blurbs in the paper today as to why people should vote for them, other than the current government.

Belair community objects to Pearl of China project ...not that it matters ..

edit--Daily Herald seems to be having some problems this morning. Sometimes the link works, sometimes not..