The leaders of eight Caribbean nations toasted a new friend at a private luncheon this summer at Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago. But the host was not Trinidadian premier Kamla Persad-Bissessar, but Xi Jinping, China’s president, accompanied by his folk singer wife Peng Liyuan.

Over a spicy meal, Mr Xi made clear to the heads of state and government that China would not be a spectator to the region’s economic difficulties. Ms Persad-Bissessar later said Beijing had promised $3bn of soft loans and investment. The Chinese embassy announced plans to set up a Caribbean scholarship programme.

“We see in your China Dream a splendid opportunity for China to become a model for the world,” Ms Persad-Bissessar said in her toast to Mr Xi.