China and Latin America: Development, Agency and Geopolitics

Description

Since the turn of the century bilateral trade between China and Latin America has increased by more than a factor of ten. In 2000, two-way trade stood at £12.17 billion; by 2019, it had reached $307.94 billion. Coupled with this commercial element of China-Latin America relations is a growing assertiveness in diplomatic and military affairs. Yet Beijing is showing caution in its diplomatic engagement, especially with the more left leaning countries of Venezuela and Ecuador. However, Latin America’s enthusiasm in this regard has taken even the Chinese by surprise. What are we to make of these shifting dynamics? In this detailed and up-to-the-minute investigation, Chris Alden, author of the critically acclaimed China in Africa, and Alvaro Mendez, leading expert in the international relations of Latin America, look at the interests, strategies and practices of China’s incoming power. What can be learned by comparing Latin America with other developing regions in which China has had significant economic ties and a growing diplomatic stake? Does Beijing’s approach to Latin America really differ, as is often claimed by Chinese leaders, from its approach to Africa? And more broadly, how should we read the curious and uneven decline of both the US and Europe as actors in the region? Cover Contents Introduction: Global China, Latin America and the Winds of Change Silver, Railroads and Migrants China Rising, Latin America Swooning – Development, Agency and Geopolitics Development Agency Geopolitics Our Approach Book Outline 1 Silver, Railroads and Migrants – Imperial China and the Making of Latin America The Silver Mountain and the Chinese Emperor’s Treasury La Trata Amarilla and Latin American Development Chinese Communities in Latin America Conclusion: The Chinese Legacy in Shaping Latin America 2 From Comrades to Capitalists – China’s Cold War in Latin America and Its Rise as a Global Economic Power China’s Cold War in Latin America Diplomatic Recognition and the ‘Two Chinas’ The Sino-Soviet Split and Latin America Maoism and Latin American Revolutionaries The End of China’s Revolutionary Phase China Goes Global China’s ‘Going Out’ Policy and Latin America Conclusion 3 Chile, Peru and Argentina – Riding the Tiger Chile History and Diplomacy Economic Ties Chinese Firms in Chile, Chilean Firms in China Renegotiating and Extending the FTA Peru History and Diplomacy Trade and Investment Peruvian Chinese Community Argentina History and Diplomacy Economic Ties Elite Consortium, Development Finance and China’s Expanding Interests Macri and the ‘Recalibration’ of Argentina-China Relations Return of the Peronists Conclusion: Chile, Peru and Argentina 4 Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia – Incautious Embrace Venezuela Building the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela China-Venezuela – Diplomacy, Trade and Development Finance After Chávez and Oil Opposition Politics, Regime Collapse and Risk Mitigation Ecuador Ecuador and China Embrace – Rebalancing in the Era of 'Buen Vivir' Trade, Development Finance and Infrastructure Projects Chinese Development Models and Buen Vivir Future Imperfect Bolivia Trade and Investment Playing the China Card Conclusion: Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia 5 Brazil – Partnership to Populism Brazil and China – From Imperial Relations to Emerging Powers Lula and the Era of Expansive Cooperation – Trade, Investment and Competition Trade and Investment in the Building of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Focus on the Agricultural Sector Focus on the Manufacturing and Technology Sector: Aviation and Automobiles Focus on the Energy Sector Brazilian Companies in China, Chinese Companies in Brazil Global and Regional Diplomatic Dimension of Brazil-China Ties Bolsonaro – From Rejection to Rebooting the Relationship Conclusion 6 Mexico – Competition and Cooperation Mexican-Chinese Diplomatic Relations Evolving Economic Ties – Between Competition and Collaboration Trade and Investment: Spotlight on Infrastructure Trade and Investment: Spotlight on Special Economic Zones Trade and Investment: Spotlight on the Retail Sector Mexican Companies in China, Chinese Companies in Mexico Trump, NAFTA 2.0 and Trade Wars Conclusion 7 Central America and the Caribbean – Dollar Diplomacy and Development Economic Engagement: Development Financing for Infrastructure, Resources and Tourism Dollar Diplomacy Focus on Costa Rica Focus on Panama Focus on Jamaica Conclusion 8 Global China, the United States and the New Geopolitics of Latin America Institutionalizing China and Latin America’s Common Destiny: From Strategic Partnerships to Regional Forums CELAC and 1+3+6 Next Steps: White Paper on China and Latin America and the Caribbean 2016 Autumn of the Patriarch? US Response to China in Latin America and the Caribbean Strategic Competitor The New Geopolitics of Latin America Development Reframed Agency Reconsidered China Re-evaluates Risk in Latin America and the Caribbean Geopolitics Ascendant – Huawei and Covid Diplomacy Resources, Railroads and Migrants Redux – Global China’s New Silk Road and the Remaking of Latin America Appendices Appendix A: Trade Figures – China and Latin America Table A.1 Imports, Exports and Total Trade between Latin America and China Figure A.1 Bar Chart – Trade between Latin America and China 2000–2019 Appendix B: Foreign Direct Investment Figures Figure B.1 LAC: FDI Inflows from China and Hong Kong 2000–2019 Appendix C: Diplomatic and Geopolitical Matters Table C.1 PRC – Diplomatic Relations with LAC (1960–2022) Table C.2 Diplomatic Allies of Taiwan in LAC as of July 2022 Table C.3 LAC Countries that have endorsed the BRI as of July 2022 Notes Further Reading Index