Chinese embassy warns it will defend company interests as Jamaica port security review moves ahead

China's embassy in Jamaica has spoken publicly for the first time about a United States–aligned security review of the island's main ports, making clear that while it does not object to cooperation between Kingston and Washington, it will act to safeguard Chinese commercial interests here.

Reports last week said AEOM had been hired to examine security at Kingston Wharves, the Kingston free port and the Montego Bay free port. The work, set out in an April 29 letter to Port Authority of Jamaica Chairman Professor Gordon Shirley, is expected to cover physical security, cargo handling, maritime operations, information technology networks and workforce management, with recommendations tied to United States and international security standards.

Chinese firms hold a significant minority stake in Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited, while the majority share belongs to the CMA CGM Group. The terminal is run by the French shipping company, and the embassy said China Merchants Port Holdings is a shareholder but is not involved in day-to-day operations.

Asked whether Beijing had been informed or consulted, the embassy said it had taken note of the planned assessment. It described China and Jamaica as sincere partners pursuing mutual benefit, but cautioned that Jamaica–US cooperation must not erode the lawful rights of Chinese companies. It added that China would take all necessary steps to protect those interests and reaffirmed its commitment to deepening bilateral ties, including Belt and Road cooperation.

An overseas industry source told the outlet the review sits within wider United States–China competition for influence in the Caribbean, with Kingston's main container terminal at the centre of the dispute. Washington's interest, the source said, goes beyond physical security to mapping Chinese technology within terminal systems, including surveillance, communications and cargo-tracking infrastructure.

A Center for Strategic and International Studies report, "No Safe Harbor," ranked Kingston among the highest-risk Chinese-linked ports in the western hemisphere, scoring it 70.7 out of 100. Kingston handles heavy regional traffic and sits on key Caribbean shipping lanes used by United States commerce moving through the Panama Canal and the Mona Passage.

The source also suggested the assessment could eventually recommend replacing Chinese equipment with technology from vendors meeting cyber supply-chain security standards, and questioned whether Jamaica has legal authority under the 2015 concession agreement governing Kingston Freeport Terminal to allow a third-party security review without China Merchants' consent. Attempts to reach Professor Shirley for comment were unsuccessful. The letter states the assessment should take about two months, after which the Port Authority will receive a report outlining current capabilities, gaps and a phased upgrade plan.