Latest news with #CaribbeanStates
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
China strengthens ties in Latin America with loans, cooperative deals
ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay, May 22 (UPI) -- China is expanding its economic and political footprint in Latin America through billions of dollars in loans and cooperative deals, further challenging U.S. influence in the region. At the recent China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States forum, President Xi Jinping announced a $9.2 billion credit line for Latin America to support infrastructure, clean energy, artificial intelligence and digital connectivity. He also unveiled a three-year plan that covers more than 100 joint projects in trade, education, health and food security. In a move to ease travel, China will waive visa requirements for citizens of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay. China became South America's largest trading partner in 2020, surpassing the United States. Trade with the region topped $500 billion last year and is projected to reach $750 billion by 2035. Now, China is pushing beyond trade to secure long-term access to natural resources, markets and advanced technologies. "China wants stable access to key commodities like oil, copper, lithium and food," said Evan Ellis, a research professor of Latin American studies at the U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania. "Through its state-owned companies and investment deals, it's building control over supply chains and seeking greater economic leverage." Ellis said China's strategy includes the raw material and high-tech sectors. "It's not just about buying resources. It's also about exporting advanced products and ensuring a political climate that welcomes Chinese firms," he said. Latin America's economies complement China's needs. The region has vast farmland and mineral reserves, while China's population of 1.4 billion people creates high demand for food and energy. Beijing already has invested nearly $180 billion across Latin America, according to Jorge Heine, a research professor focused on global studies at Boston University. "China's focus has shifted from mining to infrastructure -- ports, highways, power plants and telecom projects," Heine said. "In Colombia, they're supporting wind and solar projects. Brazil recently signed long-term agreements with China for science and tech cooperation." Scientific development is also part of China's global plan, according to Francisco Urdinez, director of the Center for Asian Studies at Chile's Pontifical Catholic University. "China wants to lead in fields like computer science and biomedicine," Urdinez said. "Partnerships with Latin American universities can help develop patents, especially in areas like vaccine research." In contrast to the Cold War superpower rivalry, China is not promoting a political ideology in Latin America. "This isn't the Soviet Union. China isn't exporting communism," Ellis said. "It's protecting its own growth and shielding itself from geopolitical threats, including U.S. pressure." Urdinez agreed, calling China's role mostly economic. "They're filling a gap left by the U.S. Their main tool is financial -- an enormous wallet, not ideology." Washington has pushed back. This week, the United States praised Panama for pulling out of China's Belt and Road Initiative and criticized Argentina for renewing a currency swap deal with Beijing. It also opposed international credit support for projects involving Chinese companies, including Bogotá's subway system. The China-CELAC Forum and the growing wave of Chinese-backed investments have deepened geopolitical tensions. U.S. officials see these moves as eroding their long-standing influence in Latin America, a region they have traditionally viewed as part of their strategic sphere. As Beijing builds stronger economic ties, the United States faces new pressure to reassert its role in the region -- or risk losing ground to its largest global rival.
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
China strengthens ties in Latin America with loans, cooperative deals
ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay, May 22 (UPI) -- China is expanding its economic and political footprint in Latin America through billions of dollars in loans and cooperative deals, further challenging U.S. influence in the region. At the recent China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States forum, President Xi Jinping announced a $9.2 billion credit line for Latin America to support infrastructure, clean energy, artificial intelligence and digital connectivity. He also unveiled a three-year plan that covers more than 100 joint projects in trade, education, health and food security. In a move to ease travel, China will waive visa requirements for citizens of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay. China became South America's largest trading partner in 2020, surpassing the United States. Trade with the region topped $500 billion last year and is projected to reach $750 billion by 2035. Now, China is pushing beyond trade to secure long-term access to natural resources, markets and advanced technologies. "China wants stable access to key commodities like oil, copper, lithium and food," said Evan Ellis, a research professor of Latin American studies at the U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania. "Through its state-owned companies and investment deals, it's building control over supply chains and seeking greater economic leverage." Ellis said China's strategy includes the raw material and high-tech sectors. "It's not just about buying resources. It's also about exporting advanced products and ensuring a political climate that welcomes Chinese firms," he said. Latin America's economies complement China's needs. The region has vast farmland and mineral reserves, while China's population of 1.4 billion people creates high demand for food and energy. Beijing already has invested nearly $180 billion across Latin America, according to Jorge Heine, a research professor focused on global studies at Boston University. "China's focus has shifted from mining to infrastructure -- ports, highways, power plants and telecom projects," Heine said. "In Colombia, they're supporting wind and solar projects. Brazil recently signed long-term agreements with China for science and tech cooperation." Scientific development is also part of China's global plan, according to Francisco Urdinez, director of the Center for Asian Studies at Chile's Pontifical Catholic University. "China wants to lead in fields like computer science and biomedicine," Urdinez said. "Partnerships with Latin American universities can help develop patents, especially in areas like vaccine research." In contrast to the Cold War superpower rivalry, China is not promoting a political ideology in Latin America. "This isn't the Soviet Union. China isn't exporting communism," Ellis said. "It's protecting its own growth and shielding itself from geopolitical threats, including U.S. pressure." Urdinez agreed, calling China's role mostly economic. "They're filling a gap left by the U.S. Their main tool is financial -- an enormous wallet, not ideology." Washington has pushed back. This week, the United States praised Panama for pulling out of China's Belt and Road Initiative and criticized Argentina for renewing a currency swap deal with Beijing. It also opposed international credit support for projects involving Chinese companies, including Bogotá's subway system. The China-CELAC Forum and the growing wave of Chinese-backed investments have deepened geopolitical tensions. U.S. officials see these moves as eroding their long-standing influence in Latin America, a region they have traditionally viewed as part of their strategic sphere. As Beijing builds stronger economic ties, the United States faces new pressure to reassert its role in the region -- or risk losing ground to its largest global rival. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
UPI
22-05-2025
- Business
- UPI
China strengthens ties in Latin America with loans, cooperative deals
Chinese President Xi Jinping recently announced a $9.2 billion credit line for Latin America to support infrastructure, clean energy, artificial intelligence and digital connectivity, and he also unveiled a three-year plan that covers more than 100 joint projects in trade, education, health and food security. File photo by Paolo Aguilar/EPA-EFE ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay, May 22 (UPI) -- China is expanding its economic and political footprint in Latin America through billions of dollars in loans and cooperative deals, further challenging U.S. influence in the region. At the recent China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States forum, President Xi Jinping announced a $9.2 billion credit line for Latin America to support infrastructure, clean energy, artificial intelligence and digital connectivity. He also unveiled a three-year plan that covers more than 100 joint projects in trade, education, health and food security. In a move to ease travel, China will waive visa requirements for citizens of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay. China became South America's largest trading partner in 2020, surpassing the United States. Trade with the region topped $500 billion last year and is projected to reach $750 billion by 2035. Now, China is pushing beyond trade to secure long-term access to natural resources, markets and advanced technologies. "China wants stable access to key commodities like oil, copper, lithium and food," said Evan Ellis, a research professor of Latin American studies at the U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania. "Through its state-owned companies and investment deals, it's building control over supply chains and seeking greater economic leverage." Ellis said China's strategy includes the raw material and high-tech sectors. "It's not just about buying resources. It's also about exporting advanced products and ensuring a political climate that welcomes Chinese firms," he said. Latin America's economies complement China's needs. The region has vast farmland and mineral reserves, while China's population of 1.4 billion people creates high demand for food and energy. Beijing already has invested nearly $180 billion across Latin America, according to Jorge Heine, a research professor focused on global studies at Boston University. "China's focus has shifted from mining to infrastructure -- ports, highways, power plants and telecom projects," Heine said. "In Colombia, they're supporting wind and solar projects. Brazil recently signed long-term agreements with China for science and tech cooperation." Scientific development is also part of China's global plan, according to Francisco Urdinez, director of the Center for Asian Studies at Chile's Pontifical Catholic University. "China wants to lead in fields like computer science and biomedicine," Urdinez said. "Partnerships with Latin American universities can help develop patents, especially in areas like vaccine research." In contrast to the Cold War superpower rivalry, China is not promoting a political ideology in Latin America. "This isn't the Soviet Union. China isn't exporting communism," Ellis said. "It's protecting its own growth and shielding itself from geopolitical threats, including U.S. pressure." Urdinez agreed, calling China's role mostly economic. "They're filling a gap left by the U.S. Their main tool is financial -- an enormous wallet, not ideology." Washington has pushed back. This week, the United States praised Panama for pulling out of China's Belt and Road Initiative and criticized Argentina for renewing a currency swap deal with Beijing. It also opposed international credit support for projects involving Chinese companies, including Bogotá's subway system. The China-CELAC Forum and the growing wave of Chinese-backed investments have deepened geopolitical tensions. U.S. officials see these moves as eroding their long-standing influence in Latin America, a region they have traditionally viewed as part of their strategic sphere. As Beijing builds stronger economic ties, the United States faces new pressure to reassert its role in the region -- or risk losing ground to its largest global rival.
Asahi Shimbun
16-05-2025
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
China allows visa-free entry for 5 Latin American nations to boost ties
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, center, Colombia Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia and Honduras Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina attend the plenary session of the China-CELAC Forum ministerial meeting in Beijing on May 13. (Pool Photo via AP) BEIJING--China will allow visa-free entry for nationals of five Latin American countries for one year to boost closer connections with the region. Starting June 1, citizens of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay will be allowed to enter China for up to 30 days without a visa, China's Foreign Ministry announced Thursday. The trial program will be in effect for one year. 'We welcome more foreign friends to visit China, to experience the colorful and vibrant China,' Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a daily briefing. Beijing hosted the China-CELAC, or Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Forum earlier this week, aiming at strengthening its alliances in the region as a counterweight to U.S. influence. China has been opening up to dozens of countries including most of the European nations, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia to boost the economy after strict pandemic travel measures. China and Uzbekistan will also begin mutual visa-free entry for up to 30 days starting June 1, according to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Associated Press
15-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Global Times: China-LAC mutually beneficial, win-win cooperation highly recognized among Chinese respondents: GT survey
05/15/2025, Beijing, China // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // The year 2025 marks the tenth anniversary of the launch of the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Forum. Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend and deliver a speech at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing on May 13. Over the past decade, through joint efforts, the construction of a China-LAC community with a shared future has continuously achieved new results, and China-LAC relations have entered a new era characterized by equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness, and more benefits for the people. To enhance mutual understanding between China and LAC countries and to strengthen and promote cultural exchanges, mutual learning, and people-to-people exchanges, the Global Times Institute (GTI), in collaboration with the Latin American Council of Social Sciences (CLACSO) and the China-Latin America Education and Culture Center, conducted a 'China-LAC mutual perception survey' in both regions. The first part, 'Chinese perspectives on the LAC,' was conducted from April 11 to 22, 2025, targeting ordinary Chinese citizens aged 18 to 69. The survey was carried out through an online questionnaire distributed to members, covering 16 cities across seven major regions of the Chinese mainland, and collected 2,099 valid samples. The survey found that over 90 percent of respondents affirmed the importance of a harmonious and friendly China-LAC relationship for China's future development, and expressed a desire for the relationship to maintain its current state or become even friendlier. US pressure and provocation were identified as the biggest obstacle to China-LAC relations, and the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and LAC received high recognition. More comprehensive understanding This questionnaire provides a basic explanation of the geographical scope of the LAC, referring to countries and regions in the Western Hemisphere excluding the US and Canada. Without any prompts, the survey listed 9 LAC countries and 3 non-LAC countries as distractors, allowing respondents to select what they believed to be LAC countries. The data shows that 97 percent of Chinese respondents were able to accurately identify at least one LAC country. Brazil and Mexico had the highest awareness rates, both at 63 percent; Argentina and Chile also had awareness rates of above 50 percent. The survey also invited respondents to share their first impressions of the LAC. After conducting a keyword frequency analysis on the responses, the GTI found that 'football' appeared most frequently. Besides, representative terms such as 'enthusiasm,' 'samba,' 'tropical rainforest,' 'cuisine,' 'culture,' and 'coffee' were also mentioned quite often. When it comes to the characteristics of Latin Americans, 'passionate and exuberant' left the deepest impression on the Chinese public, at a selection rate of 55 percent. Other notable impressions included 'optimistic' and 'creative.' Furthermore, in the eyes of some Chinese people, traits such as self-discipline, diligence, perseverance, a focus on the present, and strong family values are also seen as prominent characteristics of Latin Americans. Regarding the current level of economic development in the LAC, nearly 90 percent of respondents believe it is at a medium or higher level, with about half considering it 'relatively high' or 'extremely high,' and 40 percent rating it as 'medium.' The respondents identified 'resource richness,' 'enthusiastic openness,' and 'natural landscapes' as the top three opportunities for development in the region, with each option chosen by around half of the respondents. Additionally, over 30 percent selected 'broad market' and 'peaceful environment.' Guo Cunhai, director of Department of Social and Cultural Studies at the Latin American Studies Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times, 'Compared to the results of the Chinese perspectives on the LAC survey we conducted 20 years ago, this time's results indicate that Chinese people's understanding of the LAC has become more comprehensive.' 'Football is still the most frequently mentioned aspect, which has not changed. What has changed is that keywords such as enthusiasm, exuberance, and optimism are mentioned more often, indicating that as China-LAC relations have become closer and cultural exchanges have increased, Chinese people's understanding of the LAC has evolved from a material level to an understanding of the inner spirit of people there,' Guo said. Cooperation for mutual benefit In recent years, products such as cherries, beef, and red wine imported from the LAC have increasingly appeared in the daily lives of Chinese consumers. Surveys show that 87 percent of respondents have used or purchased products from the region, with the usage/purchase rate of cherries being the highest at 46 percent. This is followed by beef, coffee, and avocados, all exceeding 30 percent, while red wine is close to 30 percent. Survey data indicates that the mutually beneficial nature of China-LAC cooperation is highly recognized by the Chinese public. When asked, 'Which side benefits more from China-LAC cooperation?' Eighty-three percent of respondents chose 'mutual benefit.' The vast majority of respondents (91 percent) acknowledged the role of the LAC as participants, contributors, or beneficiaries in the Belt and Road Initiative. Gabriel Merino, coordinator of the working group 'China and the map of world power' of the CLACSO, told the Global Times that China's infrastructure investments in roads, railways, ports, dams, and energy projects across the LAC have been broadly welcomed by local communities. Notable examples include the Chancay Port in Peru and railway investments in Argentina. He added that China and Latin America also hold promising prospects for future collaboration in technological development. Another CLACSO coordinator, Lourdes Regueiro, noted that China offers Latin America a partnership not based on political conditions or ideological alignment, positioning itself as a key development partner that refrains from imposing political or economic models on the region. The survey was conducted amid the US government's push for so-called 'reciprocal tariffs' worldwide. When asked about the potential impact of this policy on China-LAC trade, nearly half (48 percent) of respondents believed it would disrupt the global trade order and negatively affect China-LAC trade. Another 15 percent of respondents said the consequences remain uncertain, potentially forcing the LAC to choose sides between the US and China. Meanwhile, 24 percent of respondents saw it as an opportunity to expand China-LAC trade. The survey also highlighted perceptions of obstacles to China-LAC relations. 'US pressure and provocation' ranked as the top challenge, cited by 41 percent of respondents - far outpacing other factors. Over half (54 percent) viewed the US as a 'troublemaker' in China-LAC cooperation. Boundless potential Regarding the current China-LAC relations, 76 percent of the respondents believe that the overall relations are 'fairly friendly' or 'very friendly,' while 21 percent think they are 'neither good nor bad.' Ninety-six percent of the respondents consider that for China, the LAC is mostly in normal, friendly, or strategic partnership relations. Ninety-five percent of the respondents affirm the importance of the harmonious and friendly China-LAC relations for China's future development. Sixty-two percent of respondents expect that China-LAC relations will become even friendlier in the future, and 33 percent expect to maintain the status quo. In terms of the areas where China and the LAC need to strengthen cooperation in the future, at the top of the list are 'green development and environmental protection,' 'trade and investment,' 'infrastructure construction,' 'renewable energy development,' and 'high-tech industries such as AI.' Wang Youming, research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies in Beijing, said that the LAC attaches great importance to environmental protection, and China has advantages in the industrial chains related to new energy vehicles and lithium batteries. China and the LAC have a strong willingness, practical actions, and promising prospects for cooperation in the field of green development. According to the survey data, 97 percent of Chinese respondents show a high level of interest in various aspects of the LAC, including its history, culture, science and technology, and sports. Comparatively speaking, 'history and ancient civilizations' and 'literature and art' are the most attractive, with the proportion of respondents choosing them being 53 percent and 44 percent respectively. More than 30 percent of the respondents are interested in science and technology, sports, and economy. Also, more than 30 percent of the respondents hope to gain a better understanding of the LAC by paying attention to their film and TV shows, participating in cultural exchange activities such as music, dance, and cuisine, and reading their literary works. If given the opportunity, which countries do the Chinese public most want to visit? The data shows that Brazil is the top destination, with 48 percent of the respondents choosing it, followed by Argentina (35 percent), Chile (33 percent), and Mexico (31 percent). Meanwhile, about 20 percent of the respondents chose Cuba, Colombia, and Panama. 'Tourism' and 'social media and other media' are the two main ways for the Chinese public to learn more about the LAC, with the proportions of respondents choosing them being 51 percent and 48 percent, respectively. In addition, more than 90 percent of the respondents express their welcome to people from the LAC to visit China. In recent years, the overall influence of Global South countries has significantly increased. The LAC, as an important member of the Global South camp, has also seen a concurrent enhancement of its strategic status and the level of attention it receives in international affairs. Fifty-seven percent of the respondents believe that the region's status in global governance will rise in the future, while 35 percent think it will remain largely unchanged. When asked about the common characteristics between China and the LAC, 97 percent of respondents affirm that there are commonalities. Among them, the recognition rates of 'advocating for peace and building a new international political and economic order' and 'possessing a long and splendid civilization and culture,' and 'attaching importance to green development and environmental protection' are close to or exceed half, with the proportions of respondents choosing them being 52 percent, 52 percent, and 49 percent respectively. In addition, 46 percent of the respondents believe that both China and the LAC 'support multilateralism and the United Nations.' The LAC sees itself as part of the Global South, and this seems to be a tacit consensus within the region. With the advent of a multi-polar world, I believe that the voices and demands of the Global South in the international political agenda will be strengthened, Lourdes said. 'The LAC and China will actively participate in the construction of a new international political and economic order,' he stressed. The article first appeared in the Global Times: Company: Global Times Contact Person: Anna Li Email: [email protected] Website: City: Beijing Disclaimer: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies (including product offerings, regulatory plans and business plans) and may change without notice. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
