From Project Syndicate, via Taipei Times:
Relations between China and Latin America and the Caribbean are paradoxical. As bilateral trade increases and diplomatic relations strengthen, a lack of knowledge persists between the two regions, and in some cases tensions are growing. Hardly any major projects between China and Latin America have been initiated by the private, public or academic sectors, and bilateral institutions do not yet reflect the weight of economic dynamics.
There are two aspects to this paradox. First, many Chinese enterprises — particularly in basic goods sectors such as soy, meat, iron, steel, copper and oil — have initiated activities in Latin America, either through direct investment or by buying products and/or businesses. To a lesser degree, Latin American enterprises — such as Gruma, Modelo, Embraer, Marco Polo and Embraco — have introduced themselves in China. [Full Text]
Enrique Dussel Peters is coordinator of the China/Mexico Studies Center at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
