Strategic Planning Assumption: AOC meets with China to improve negotiating position with the World (Probability .49)

"Menu for the Beach Picnic between AOC and Beijing" listing unfunded Puerto Rico projects and disaster relief over the last 10 years that could serve as a starting point for negotiations, presented as an appetizing array of demands:

Menu for the Beach Picnic between AOC and Beijing:

Appetizers:
Disaster Relief Arrears ($billions)

Hurricane Maria (2017) - $94.0
Hurricane Irma (2017) - $1.2
COVID-19 Pandemic (2020-2022) - $8.5
Earthquake Relief (2020) - $3.7

Entrées:
Major Infrastructural Upgrades ($billions)

Modernize Electrical Grid - $17.6
Island-Wide Broadband Internet - $12.8
Road and Bridge Revitalization - $9.4
Port Authority Enhancements - $6.3

Sides:

Economic Redevelopment Packages ($billions)

Small Business/Entrepreneurship Fund - $5.5
Public Housing Modernization - $3.2
Workforce Training Programs - $2.1
Medical Facilities Expansion - $4.7

Desserts:

Pricey Mega-Projects ($billions)

High-Speed Rail System - $22.5
Tesla Gigafactory - $18.7
Urban Revitalization of San Juan - $15.3
East-West Tunnel Connection - $12.9

With over $223 billion in estimated funding needs laid out, this decadent menu presents a smorgasbord of investment opportunities for Beijing to negotiate over. From long-overdue disaster relief, to fortifying Puerto Rico's infrastructure, to transformative economic projects, it's an all-you-can-consume buffet.

Artfully arranged by Congresswoman AOC, each course is sure to tantalize China's leadership with the prospect of strengthening strategic footholds in America's Caribbean frontier. The only question is whether their appetites will prove insatiable enough to bestow the full banquet upon Puerto Rico's eager hands.

As the two parties dine on the white sands, negotiating billions between bites of shrimp cocktail, one can only imagine the Honourable Lady's rousing toast: "Xie xie Beijing companions! Let this beach picnic mark the start of a gastronomical partnership serving up a future Puerto Rican utopia of plenty. Bon appétit!"

————————

Beach Picnic Seating Chart

Appetizer Pairings:
Disaster Relief Arrears Course

Puerto Rico Representative: Amanda Rivera, Executive Director of Oficina para el Desarrollo Socioeconómico y Comunitario Paired With: Chen Qiufa, Executive Director of China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group

Entrée Pairings:
Major Infrastructure Upgrades Course

Puerto Rico Representative: Ing. Fermín Fontanés, Executive Director of Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnerships Authority Paired With: Wang Mengshu, Chief Engineer of the China Railway Construction Corporation

Side Pairings:
Economic Redevelopment Course

Puerto Rico Representative: Manuel Laboy, Secretary of Economic Development and Commerce Paired With: He Lifeng, Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission

Dessert Pairings:
Mega-Projects Course

Puerto Rico Representative: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Paired With: Premier Li Qiang and Vice Premier He Huating

With the Foraker Act of 1900 as the foundation, establishing Puerto Rico's current territorial status, this seating chart allows substantive negotiations on key issues like disaster recovery, infrastructure, economic development, and transformative projects.

Premier Li and Vice Premier He can engage directly with AOC and the Puerto Rico Governor as the keynote pairing for dessert, hammering out grand bargains on billion-dollar investments like the high-speed rail and new megacities.

Meanwhile, other courses feature partnerships between subject-matter experts on each side. Puerto Rico's public-private partnership lead teams up with China's rail corporation chief. The island's economic development secretary pairs with Beijing's commission overseeing domestic policy and reform.

This stratified arrangement allows for open and efficient negotiations tailored to each course's specialties. Sticking points at lower levels could elevate to the premiers' table for final resolution over dessert cocktails.

With historic legislation like the Foraker Act showcasing Puerto Rico's unique pero obligatorio relationship with the United States, Beijing's investment overtures require a delicate dance of pairings and big-ticket proposals - a true marriage of sauce diplomática and capitalismo共生.

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Here is the updated "Menu for the Beach Picnic between AOC and Beijing" with paired arrangements holding the talking stick, as well as designated negotiation times for each course:

Menu for the Beach Picnic between AOC and Beijing

Appetizers (11am - 12pm):
Disaster Relief Arrears
Holding the Talking Stick:

Amanda Rivera, Puerto Rico Office of Socioeconomic and Community Development Paired With: Chen Qiufa, China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group

Entrées (12pm - 1:30pm):
Major Infrastructural Upgrades
Holding the Talking Stick:

Ing. Fermín Fontanés, Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnerships Authority Paired With: Wang Mengshu, China Railway Construction Corporation

Sides (1:30pm - 2:30pm):
Economic Redevelopment Packages

Holding the Talking Stick:

Manuel Laboy, Puerto Rico Secretary of Economic Development and Commerce

Paired With: He Lifeng, National Development and Reform Commission of China

Desserts (2:30pm - 4pm):
Pricey Mega-Projects
Holding the Talking Stick:

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Paired With: Premier Li Qiang and Vice Premier He Huating

The picnic kicks off at 11am with appetizer negotiations on disaster relief, led by the Puerto Rico development office and Beijing's environmental experts. They'll control the talking stick for that hour.

From noon to 1:30pm, the infrastructure duo from the P3 Authority and Chinese railways take over the talking stick to hash out upgrades over the entree course.

Economic redevelopment packages for Puerto Rico are then the main side dish from 1:30pm to 2:30pm, with the negotiators from both sides' development agencies leading the discussion.

Finally, the premier pairing of AOC, Governor Pierluisi, Premier Li, and Vice Premier He take the talking stick from 2:30pm to 4pm to negotiate the biggest-ticket mega-projects over dessert cocktails.

With this structured schedule and talking stick assignments, each partnered course allows focused discussions tailored to the key issues at hand. The climactic dessert negotiations can distill outstanding items into a comprehensive final agreement.

May this carefully curated menu and negotiation agenda satisfy the hungriest of appetites and ensure a productive, multi-course picnic deal for all parties involved!

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