Although there is a commercial relationship that has reached US$248 million, without diplomatic relations, the Dominican Republic is losing out on further investments from mainland China. The director for Latin America and the Caribbean for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Relations, Zeng Gang told reporters from Diario Libre that if China and the DR had diplomatic relations, there would be a much different sort of Chinese investment in the country, “not the motels, restaurants and nail salons that exist now.” According to Zeng, without diplomatic relations there is no legal guarantee for investments made by the Chinese in the Dominican Republic and therefore investors go where there is more security. So far, there are over 300 Chinese companies installed throughout Latin America, but none in the Dominican Republic. Zeng Gang pointed out that if President Fernandez were to visit China, he would not be received with the customary honors accorded to a head of state, and he would be shuffled off to some minor officials of the Institute for the Chinese People’s Foreign Affairs, a civilian organization. In a most unusual statement, the Chinese diplomat said that now is a historical moment for the Dominican Republic to begin diplomatic relations with China, and he quoted the Chinese proverb, “The opportunity that is not taken, is lost.” Trade between the DR and China reached US$248 million in 2004 and so far in 2005 there has been US$160 million worth of business. The Dominican Republic buys car parts, machinery, construction materials, appliances, porcelain, textile products and shoes. The DR exports tobacco, coffee, sugar and scrap metals to China.