Days after the United States presented its new National Security Strategy that places Latin America as a central focus of American foreign policy, China released a document outlining similar ambitions in the region.
The plan states that Beijing seeks to further expand its relationship “on all fronts” with countries on the continent. Among the points is the expansion of the Xi Jinping regime’s activities in trade and investments in science and technology.
The Asian giant also renewed its political interest in Latin America and the Caribbean, with growing participation in strategic sectors such as the military, space and the area of artificial intelligence.
Without citing the United States directly, the Chinese “White Paper” – as the official documents of the communist dictatorship that speak of national strategy on sensitive issues are known – condemned the unilateral imposition of tariffs and other policies in relation to the region, considering these measures “intimidation”.
The document cited important regional forums as means of maintaining its influence. The main one is the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), including the various China-CELAC subforums created within this framework.
Beijing avoided mentioning institutions of the Inter-American System in which the United States is present, including the Organization of American States (OAS), where the Chinese regime has served as an active observer since May 2004.
China once again defended a move away from the dollar in trade relations with Latin American countries. The new Chinese strategic plan highlighted the Asian giant’s interest in promoting transactions in local currencies, through swaps and other financial mechanisms that take the United States out of focus.
The document also mentions a series of financing mechanisms, including “panda bonds” to finance Xi regime projects in Latin America. China’s new white paper specifically mentions investments in oil and gas, as well as infrastructure projects (including electricity and telecommunications infrastructure), the manufacturing industry in Latin America, and agriculture as areas in which Beijing will remain interested in the coming years.
