In collaboration with the Argentine-Chinese Chamber of Production, Industry, and Commerce (CATPIC), the Argentine Government has introduced a mentoring program designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their pursuit of business opportunities in the Chinese market.
Representatives from China and Cuba have officially signed a cybersecurity agreement in Beijing, affirming the commitment of both governments to promote an Internet environment that fosters the development and well-being of their respective populations.
The Republic of China has extended an invitation to Venezuela to participate in its International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project, which is set to be constructed in the early 2030s with Russia’s assistance. This collaborative initiative reflects the shared commitment of both countries to international cooperation in the realm of deep space exploration.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has reached out to Chinese President Xi Jinping through a letter, seeking assistance in curtailing the flow of fentanyl shipments from China to Mexico. Lopez Obrador explains in the letter that U.S. lawmakers have been holding Mexico responsible for the fentanyl crisis in the United States, even going as far as threatening invasion of Mexican territory.
Following the termination of diplomatic relations with Honduras, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen embarked on a visit to Guatemala and Belize last week, aiming to strengthen ties with her regional allies. Tsai’s tour, which attracted controversy due to two stopovers in the United States, sought to bolster relationships in the region. In Guatemala, Tsai held a meeting with Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei, during which both leaders delivered a joint message reaffirming their close bonds.
Uruguay’s Foreign Minister, Francisco Bustillo, is scheduled to travel to China next week for a series of meetings with Chinese authorities aimed at initiating negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Bustillo will hold discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Wang Shouwen, the Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy Representative for International Trade Negotiations of China.
According to studies conducted by the Latin American Steel Association (Alacero), the steel sector in the region is expected to experience a gradual recovery in 2023. However, several factors contribute to the sluggishness, including uncertainties surrounding international trade and domestic policies implemented by China to revive its steel production for industrial recovery.
The Government of Panama has signed an addendum with a Chinese consortium to resume the construction of the Fourth Bridge over the Interoceanic Canal, a significant infrastructure project with a budget of $1.518 billion. The Panama Fourth Bridge Consortium (CPCP), comprising China Communications Construction Company LTD and China Harbour Engineering Company LTD, was initially awarded the project in 2018. However, financing difficulties and design changes led to a suspension of the work in 2020.
Enel, the Italian electricity company, has reached an agreement to sell all the shares it holds in Enel Distribución Perú, which represents 83.15% of its share capital, as well as all the shares of Enel X Perú, accounting for 100% of its share capital, to China Southern Power Grid International.
Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos (YLB) President, Carlos Ramos, announced that four Chinese companies, namely Citic Guoan, Tbea Group, CATL BRUNP & CMOC (CBC), and Fusion Enertech, have successfully conducted tests of their Direct Lithium Lithiation Extraction (DLE) technology in Bolivia’s Potosí and Oruro salt flats. These companies participated in YLB’s international tender for EDL technology selection, and so far, CBC is the only one that has signed an agreement with the Bolivian government.
The founder of Alibaba, Jack Ma, made a three-day private visit to the Solís Meatpacking Plant in Lavalleja, Uruguay, according to business sources confirmed by El Observador. Although he did not engage with national authorities, a commercial secretary from the Chinese embassy in Uruguay reportedly accompanied the billionaire.
Brazil and China have jointly announced the establishment of a Clearing House to facilitate business transactions and loans between the two nations, bypassing the need for the U.S. dollar. The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China will serve as the operating bank for the Clearing House in Brazil, enabling Brazilian and Chinese businesses to conduct transactions and loans using the yuan instead of exclusively relying on the dollar, as it has been the case until now.
The Colombian company EPM has signed a contract with Powerchina International Group Limited, Colombia branch, to implement the Tepuy Photovoltaic Solar Park, its first large-scale renewable energy project in Colombia. This non-conventional renewable energy project will contribute 83 megawatts of renewable energy to the National Interconnected System (SIN), which could supply a city of 400,000 inhabitants.
The Chinese company JAC presented its first electric car powered by a sodium-ion battery, a much more affordable material than lithium. Sodium-ion batteries are the focus of scientific attention given their potential to dethrone lithium as a key mineral in the development of electromobility, which in the future may affect the countries that make up the “lithium triangle” in Latin America.
Chinese electronics company TCL is considering closer cooperation with Brazilian home appliance manufacturer SEMP. SEMP founder Affonso Brandão Hennel and TCL Group president Li Dongsheng met in Shenzhen, China, to explore opportunities to collaborate and expand their joint business into the photovoltaic sector.
Huan Runqiu, President of COP15 and Minister of Ecology and Environment of China, sent a formal note to the Minister of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica, Franz Tattenbach, to highlight the work of the Costa Rican team at the United Nations Biodiversity Summit (COP15.2). In the message, he acknowledged Costa Rica’s great contribution to achieving the agreement to include the 30×30 target presented by the High Ambition Coalition, which has significantly increased the visibility of COP15 and the conservation of global biodiversity. The COP15 President highlighted the dedication, determination, and leadership of the Costa Rican team during the COP15.2…
Photo: Electric Car recharging.jpg. By: Michael Movchin/Felix Müller. Source: WikiCommons. SUNARP figures indicate that that the sale of electric and hybrid vehicles in Peru has grown significantly in recent years. In 2022, 2,680 units of these vehicles were sold, representing an increase of 84.21% over the previous year. Conventional hybrids were the most marketed, followed by pure electric and plug-in hybrids. Despite these advances, the Peruvian market still faces challenges regarding access to credit and the lack of charging stations. China leads the global EV market, thanks to its industrial development and extensive network of charging points. Adoption of these…
Photo: 2015 BYD e6 “Taxi”. By: harry_nl. Source: Flickr. Several Chinese vehicle manufacturers have begun to see Latin America as an important place to establish new plants. In late 2022, Build Your Dreams (BYD) announced that it would be building three new factories in Sao Paulo, Brazil; two will produce chassis for buses, trucks, and automobiles in October 2024, and the third will process lithium and iron phosphate in January 2025. BYD seeks to impact the regional market in Latin America with the construction of these plants, “We will bring a full range of BYD’s passenger NEVs to 17 countries,…
The Chinese company Tsingshan Mining Development S.A. will invest US$120 million to install a hydrogen chloride and sodium hydroxide manufacturing plant in Jujuy, Argentina, to produce lithium carbonate. Construction work is expected to last 18 months and employ more than 1,000 people for the construction period, and some two thousand skilled workers during its operational stage. Tsingshan Holding Group Co., Ltd. operates in the Mining and Metals sector, mainly in the stainless-steel industry.
n April 2023, Jetour will market two gasoline-powered SUVs imported from China. By the end of the year, it will introduce a hybrid unit and in 2024 it will invest in the plant for combustion and electric vehicles. The brand is currently lobbying with different governments – among them Aguascalientes and Guanajuato – to define an investment that could reach 1 billion dollars.
The Ecuadorian Attorney General’s Office will finalize the investigation of the so-called INA Papers. After almost four years of investigation, the entity has renamed the process the Sinohydro case. The investigation focuses on a criminal structure that allegedly collected $76 million in bribes to the Chinese company Sinohydro, responsible for the construction of the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric power plant during the government of Rafael Correa.
Ingrid Chaves, director of the Colombian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, spoke to Portafolio about the progress of diplomatic relations with China and the changes expected with the new government: “this year marks 43 years since the beginning of diplomatic relations and before the pandemic, China became the country’s second partner in trade and the first Asian investor in Colombia,” said Chaves.
Huawei’s Argentine subsidiary is being fined by the Argentine Customs for not declaring the import of software, which resulted in unpaid taxes amounting to US$ 28 million and a fine of US$ 2 million. Argentine Customs argued that the Chinese company could not have imported equipment without purchasing the software and without paying the license fees to the parent company in China.
he Chinese company Build Your Dreams (BYD), a pioneer in providing electric vehicles to Colombia since 2012, expressed its intention to act as an ally to meet the Colombian government’s expectations regarding the progress in the transition to clean energy, with special emphasis on the mobility issue. In an interview with Xinhua, BYD’s general manager in Colombia, Juan Luis Mesa, recalled that the company has offered effective zero emission solutions in more than 70 countries.
While Ecuador continues to be the European Union’s main supplier of tuna loins, China is fast closing in to take over the top spot. Despite the absence of any trade agreement, the European bloc is increasingly shifting its purchases to the Asian country. Ecuador’s share of the tuna market has fallen from 32% to 26%, while China’s grew rapidly from 9% to 24%, between 2015 and 2022.
Minerva affirmed that it will continue to meet Chinese beef demand through four slaughter units, three in Uruguay and one in Argentina. This follows a confirmed case of mad cow disease in the state of Pará in Brazil. Minerva, South America’s leading beef processor and exporter, present in Colombia, Chile, and Paraguay, assured that the strategy will prevent its market share from being affected as China is the largest importer of Brazilian product and has a protocol for suspending business in the event of cases of atypical Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, something that has already occurred in the past.
The Chilean government awarded China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) the second concession for the Chillán-Collipulli section of Route 5, for an investment of close to US$600 million, further expanding China’s presence in the infrastructure sector in the South American country. The concession includes the construction of a four-lane access road, the widening of 18 km of the existing road, the replacement of 14 bridges, and the repair of 48 others.
Several Chinese companies are investing in Mexico. Taking advantage of an expansive trade agreement with North America (T-MEC) and following a path forged by Japanese and South Korean companies, a number of Chinese firms have set up factories that enable them to label their products as “Made in Mexico” and then transport them duty-free to the United States.
China’s Red Cross has donated US$100,000 to the Chilean Red Cross to help areas affected by the forest fires that have ravaged the country’s south-central area. China’s ambassador to Chile, Niu Qingbao, made the announcement at a press conference at the Chilean Red Cross headquarters in Santiago, adding that the Chinese Embassy in Chile is collaborating with the Chilean Association of Municipalities to provide support.
The Chinese ambassador to Panama, Wei Qiang, delivered 6 thousand ballistic vests and 6 thousand tactical helmets valued at 4 million dollars to the Panamanian Ministry of Public Security, to “strengthen the cooperation agenda between the two nations.” The Naval Air Service and the National Border Service will receive 1,000 cases and 1,000 bulletproof vests each, while another 4,000 helmets and 4,000 vests will be delivered to the National Police.
A U.S. non-governmental organization has published a report on the cooperation between Argentina and China in aerospace development. The report, entitled “The Chinese Communist Party in Argentina: The International Engagement of China’s Space Industry,” explains the hierarchical responsibility that the Communist Party and the People’s Liberation Army have in defining China’s internal economic rules and global strategic plans in projects such as those in Neuquén and San Juan.
Photo: Chinese yuan. By: faungg’s photos. Source: Flickr. On February 7, China’s central bank informed that it signed a memorandum of cooperation with its Brazilian counterpart for the use of the yuan – the Asian country’s national currency – in border transactions. As explained in a brief communiqué, the agreement will streamline the operations of companies and financial institutions in both countries, as well as bilateral trade and investment. In effect, the agreement gives greater strength to the yuan or renminbi as an alternative currency in international business, given the proliferation of U.S. restrictions on the use of the dollar.…
Photo: Barrio Chino: By: Apex travel. Source: Wiki commons Santo Domingo’s Chinatown has become an important cultural meeting point between China and the Dominican Republic. Inaugurated in 2008, the neighborhood has restaurants offering both Chinese and Dominican dishes, as well as supermarkets selling Chinese products, a temple, and a Chinese language school. There are also fairs every weekend where visitors can learn about Chinese culture and cuisine, and there are parks and fountains where people can relax. Santo Domingo’s Chinatown is a living testimony of the union and cultural exchange between the Dominican Republic and China that began with its…
Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benítez began an official visit to the Republic of China (Taiwan) from February 14 to 18, where he held important talks with different sectors related to military, commercial, technical, and cultural exchanges with the Asian nation.
he President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, announced that his government will enforce the Lithium Nationalization Law to install automotive battery production plants in Sonora. The principal purpose is to take advantage of the state’s natural resources to create jobs and promote economic development.
Photo: Cena de Estado. By: Presidencia de la República Mexicana. Source: Flickr. On the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mexico and the People’s Republic of China, we share the introduction of an article published during the third quarter of 2022 through the China and Latin America Network: Multidisciplinary Approaches (REDCAEM). In this section, the author highlights that, although the relationship between the two countries is not as intense as it is with other countries in the region such as Brazil, Chile, Argentina or Peru, trade between Mexico and China has been on the…
A report by the U.S. Congressional Research Service (CRS) states that the U.S. government is closely monitoring China’s advance in Latin American economies, including Mexico. The document notes that China has been increasingly engaged in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) since 2001, particularly in diplomatic and economic terms.
President Gustavo Petro continues to provide information about his trip to China in the first half of 2023 to discuss the Bogota Metro. Besides the infrastructure works in Colombia, the president hopes to discuss state and social relations between the two countries.
The company has announced that it will produce 20 vehicle models, including electric (BEV), hybrid (HEV), and internal combustion (IEC). It also stated that Argentina will be the production center for electric cars in the region, with a two-stage investment over a 7-year period.
The lifting of the suspension, which in turn releases Argentina from the obligation to provide biweekly reports on the status of Covid-19 cases in authorized fishing establishments, is effective as of February 14, 2023.
The Argentine ambassador to China, met with Chinese businessmen to make progress on urban train modernization projects in Argentina.
In 2020, 59,400 tons of this species were produced in the Asian country, while Colombia produced 33,000 tons, Vietnam: 23,000, Peru: 2,100, and Brazil: 1,800. This is due to the fact that China, together with other Southeast Asian countries, has not only focused on fish production for human consumption, but has also become a leader in breeding Amazonian ornamental fish.
The Chinese company BYD has recently signed an alliance with the Chilean company Astar, in order to distribute electric vehicles for the first months of 2023 in Chile.
Argentina’s Minister of Defense, Jorge Taiana, attended The V Sino-Latin American Defense Forum, stating that the meeting is a necessary multilateral stage in which to address the current global scenario.
As reported by the Colombian radio program “W Radio,” uncertainty exists regarding the delivery deadlines for the Bogotá subway system, as a result of the failure of the APCA Transmetro consortium to meet the deadlines for financial closure.
The president of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso proclamed the trade agreement with China is concluded. He argueshat the country’s industrial sectors under consideration included a guarantee of employment in the manufacturing industry.
The 10th China Science and Technology City International High-Tech Expo took place from November 16 to 19 in the city of Mianyang, Sichuan province. Argentina was the guest of honor.
Chinese mining companies are able to act intensively. The effects of this activity have been experienced mainly at social and environmental levels in Bolivia.
The VI China-Colombia Dialogue took place on November 17 in Bogota. The event was attended by the Colombian Ambassador to China, Sergio Cabrera, and his Chinese counterpart, Lan Hu.
The last Asia Pacific Economic Forum (APEC) meeting was held in Thailand on November 16. Chilean President Gabriel Boric also attended the meeting
The recent bankruptcy of FTX, caused a drop in the price of bitcoin. As a result, El Salvador’s fiscal policy was affected by the country’s large purchase of this cryptocurrency. China proposed a possible agreement.
The President of China, Xi Jinping, met with Argentine President, Alberto Fernández, on November 15, on the occasion of the G20 summit in Bali. The leaders agreed to extend a foreign exchange agreement for US$ 5 billion.
Álvaro Leyva, Colombia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Qiu Xiaoqi, Special Representative of the Chinese Government for Latin American and Caribbean Affairs, on November 18.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric appointed Mauricio Hurtado as Chile’s new ambassador to the People’s Republic of China.
Leaders around the world congratulated Luiz Inácion Lula da Silva on his victory as the new president of Brazil. Among them was the PRC’s leader, who sent his congratulations through the country’s Foreign Ministry.
Shanghai Engineering and Technology Corp (Setco) and Canacol Energy signed an agreement to build a gas pipeline, in the Department of Antioquia (Colombia).
At the end 2021, Sinovac Biotech announced plans to build a vaccine production plant in Chile. The plant,is expected to be ready by 2023.
The end of October saw the launch of the television program Espejo de Palabras (Mirror of words), a joint production by Télam and the Argentine National News Agency, television agencies of Argentina, and CGTN of China.
Nilsen Arias, former international trade manager of Petroecuador, is currently facing legal proceedings in the United States due to a series of corruption and money laundering scandals involving the Chinese company Petrochina.
Following the celebration of the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Venezuelan government expressed its support.
China Harbour Engineering Co. (CHEC) reported having found irregularities in the bribery case involving the Bolivian Highway Authority (ABC), which led to the dismissal of the company’s general manager, Jin Zhengyuan.
Dragon boat racing is a traditional Chinese sport in which several teams compete against each other in racing boats. This sport found its way to Panama and the Dragon Boat Race was held in Amador, Panama City.
In 2018, shortly after production began at the Rio Blanco mine owned by Ecuagoldmining, activists demanded the right to be consulted on continued operations. They subsequently obtained a court order to halt operations.
The PRC-Costa Rica trade relationship increased by 44% this year compared to 2021, meaning that it reached 2.7 million dollars.
This month has brought a high level of activity in the development of PRC companies in Colombia.
China and Russia jointly expressed their concern over the US’ security proposal, in the United Nations (UN) Security Council meeting in New York.
The last donation Venezuela received was on October 3, directly from China, and it included medical and COVID-19 supplies.
The Tarot Club is a group of Chinese companies, located in Peru, that used an illegal service in order to obtain public bids.
Latin America’s consumption of New Energy Vehicles has recently increased, with Chinese-imported electric vehicles having been widely accepted by the region’s population.
The governor of Tierra del Fuego, Gustavo Melera, denied that the province is promoting the construction of a Chinese naval base within its borders.
A pro-government congressman denounced a Chinese company for a millionaire bribe to officials of the Bolivian national road entity.
The US diplomatic initiative was rejected at the United Nations plenary meeting in Geneva by 19 votes to 17, with 11 abstentions, including the government of Alberto Fernandez.
The PRC’s fleet is one of the largest dedicated to squid fishery. This has provoked concern for local fishermen engaged in the activity, as well as various public and private institutions in South America.
Ecuador reached an agreement with Chinese banks to provide about $1.4 billion in debt relief through 2025.
Governor of Tierra del Fuego (Argentina) Gustavo Melella signed a strategic agreement for the development of energy projects in Patagonia with Tu Shuipin, representative of PowerChina Energy in Argentina.
The Chinese tech company Huawei announced the expansion and improvement of its cloud business in Latin America, to boost digital transformation and development in the region.
Sabino Vaca Narvaja, Argentina’s current ambassador to China, stated at the China Mining fair that the Argentine government’s objective is for the country “to have its own mining model, with clear rules, predictability and legal security for large long-term investments from China.”
On September 17, the Retrospective Exhibition of Art Exchange between China and Latin America was inaugurated in the city of Xi’an, capital of Shaanxi province, located in the northwest of the Asian country
The China National Pharmaceutical Group Corporation, better known as Sinopharm, has announced that it will be building six new hospitals in Guyana.
Currently, China is the largest exporter of clothing to Chile, according with the report presented by Chile’s National Chamber of Commerce.
This last month has brought a great deal of activity to the bilateral relations between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Argentina.
Argentina seeks to expand its presence in the west of Chengdu, a city located in the west of China. It aims to open a new consulate in Sichuan, a province located in the western corridor of the New Silk Road.
Guatemala’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mario Búcaro, visited Taiwan to show his “support”.
China’s (PRC) great commitment in the last decade has been of great importance, the Asian country saw a great opportunity in the region and has pushed to maintain an important presence.
Cosco Shipping Ports, one of the largest companies in China (PRC), is making progress in the construction of the Chancay multipurpose port terminal, 80 kilometers north of the Peruvian capital, Lima
China Central Television (CCTV) made a television segment in which it gave special coverage to the repatriation of the aforementioned goods and highlighted the work carried out by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture.
Argentine President Alberto Fernandez recently presented his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping with a formal request to join the BRICS group, as announced by Sabino Vaca Narvaja, Argentina’s ambassador to China.
the hegemonic presence of the United States (US) in South America is diminishing, especially in relation to its presence in the region’s oceans. This is due to China’s increased presence in the different South American trade routes and the infrastructure works it is involved in.
The ongoing investigation by the Ecuadorian authorities has led to the raid of the offices of Coca Codo Sinclair, a hydroelectric plant built in Ecuador. The construction of this plant involved Sinohydro, a Chinese state-owned company.
The Argentine Minister of Economy, Sergio Massa, received the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, Zou Xiaoli, to discuss “issues related to the bilateral trade agenda”
Silvina Batakis, former Argentina’s Minister of Economy, signed a document in the province of Santa Cruz that reactivated the financing of two dams: Néstor Kirchner and Carlos Cepernic.
Argentine President Alberto Fernandez confirmed that the government of the People’s Republic of China agreed to extend the currency swap with Argentina to strengthen the reserves of the Central Bank of Argentina (BCRA).
On August 24, Uruguayan Foreign Minister Francisco Bustillo announced that, at the request of Chinese officials, the feasibility report for the FTA between China and Uruguay will be confidential.
According to Daniel Velandia, chief economist of Credicorp Capital, the existing tension between the two countries has hindered Peru’s inflationary reduction, and increased the uncertainty regarding a global economic recession.
Working in conjunction with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, Peru’s performance in the area of sustainable development has been strong. This was evinced by Peru’s reiteration, in the most recent APEC forum, to establish and implement sustainable food systems and food security for its citizens.
China is now Ecuador’s largest trading partner. This year, Ecuador’s exports of non-oil or mining products to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) increased by 81%.
At the closing of the 6th China-Latin America and the Caribbean Think Tank Forum, Alicia Bárcena said that cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) provides an opportunity to reduce global asymmetries.
A Tango concert was held on August 18, at the Chengdu Concert Hall on the occasion of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Argentina and the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
An example of the above is the case of Foton, a company that specializes in the manufacture of commercial vehicles, and which has seen the highest international sales in its history in Chile.
Nicaragua’s Vice President, Rosario Murillo, has stated that China will grant a disbursement of USD $60 million for the development of a housing construction program. This disbursement is coordinated by the China International Development Cooperation Agency.