Trade and Globalisation

Two-Pager: China's economic and political role in Latin America

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Disclaimer: This two-pager has been prepared by the CKN Secretariat and should not be considered the work of the individuals listed as authors of the report.

 

Key Takeaways

  • Economic goals are the central driving force of China’s engagement in the LAC region, with interests expanding from mining and oil to infrastructure, energy transition, telecommunications and digital technologies.
  • China has become a major economic partner for the LAC region alongside the US and Europe; while cultural, educational and medical diplomacy have built goodwill in the LAC region.
  • Political and economic elites in the LAC region appreciate the lack of political conditionalities in relations with China, although this has also provided non-democratic and autocratic regimes with economic room to survive.
  • Europe and the Netherlands should actively engage with LAC actors to protect and strengthen human rights, democracy, and the international rule of law, while responding to concerns about surveillance technologies and China’s growing influence in the region.

China Knowledge Network

The Dutch China Knowledge Network (CKN) is a network established to involve China experts and disseminate knowledge within the government of the Netherlands and beyond.Our key task is to connect various angles of research and events to better understand China’s motives, policies and vision to develop more effective policies and better advise social partners. The secretariat of the knowledge network has been assigned to think tank Clingendael together with LeidenAsiaCentre. They will function primarily as ‘knowledge brokers’, matching the supply and demand of knowledge.

 

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