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May 3^rd, 2017

 

The Dr. Hon. Timothy Harris led Team Unity administration on St.Kitts-Nevis is responding to news reports regarding a Chinese Businessman who was issued a St.Kitts-Nevis citizenship by the Dr. Denzil Douglas led administration and before the IMF praised overhaul of the SKN CBI programme which underwent major upgrades and changes under the new team unity administration.

In the Statement that was issued on Wednesday May 3^rd the SKN Team UNITY Government stated that like all other St.Kitts-Nevis citizens, the Chinese National referred to, by the fact that he was granted citizenship of the federation in 2013, was entitled to the rights and privileges and protections of any other citizen of the federation as outlined in the constitution. The statement also raised some concerns regarding pronouncements made in the news story which suggested or stated that the school child of the alleged fugitive was interviewed by Chinese officials in the absence of and unknown to his parents.

The Statement reads:

“The May 3^rd, 2017 AM Edition of Carib Update’s News Break reported that Chinese diplomatic officials are claiming that the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is harbouring a Chinese national who is on Interpol’s Wanted List and that the Government of the People’s Republic of China has had no cooperation from the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis on this matter.

The Chinese citizen referred to in the report by Ms. Oslyn Crosby was granted St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship some four years ago in September 2013.  Accordingly, as a citizen, he is entitled by virtue of the Constitution of St. Kitts and Nevis to due process as is any other citizen.  The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is deeply concerned that the news story reported that undercover Chinese police officials interviewed the child of the alleged fugitive in St. Kitts in the absence of the parents.”

The statement also outlined the fact that the Chinese government had made no formal request to the government of St.Kitts-Nevis regarding the alleged fugitive.

“It is important to note that the Government of the People’s Republic of China has made no formal request to the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis in respect to this matter. 

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is cognizant that there is an established legal framework for dealing with the return of fugitives, and the extradition of any citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis therefore must be done in accordance with the law.  St. Kitts and Nevis has no extradition arrangement with China,” the statement continues. 

The government staement concluded by indicating that investigations have been launched and are being carried out by the relevant authorities to deal with the matter.

The statement concludes “Information has come to the Government’s attention in relation to this matter, and the relevant agencies are carrying out investigations with a view to ascertaining whether there has been any breach of the laws of St. Kitts and Nevis.  

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis will comply with its obligations as a responsible member of the international community.”

According to reports the Chinese National in question is alleged to have fled China for St.Kitts Nevis since 2010 and was subsequently granted a St.Kitts-Nevis Passport in 2013 under the then Dr. Denzil Douglas led regime. Biao is one of 6 Foreign Nationals on Interpol’s list that were issued passports under the Dr. Denzil Douglas led government between 2010 and 2014.

The CBI Programme has undergone a complete overhaul which was undertaken by the new Dr. Timothy Harris led Team UNITY Administration and praised by the IMF. In addressing the improvements in the programme Dr Inci Otker, an IMF advisor, said the transformation from a program shrouded in secrecy to one that is transparent about the way it operates is most welcome.

“The authorities are to be commended for the comprehensive reform of the citizenship-by-investment program,” Otker’s recent report said.

“The improvements in the transparency of SIDF financial reporting are welcome.”

The Programme is now considered the platinum standard of International Citizenship programmes.