China to Deepen Relationships with Latin America

World Today

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has wrapped up his visit to Latin America. The minister visited Cuba, Venezuela, Argentina and Brazil. CCTV correspondent Stephen Gibbs looks back at the visit.

China to Deepen Ties with Latin American Countries

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has wrapped up his visit to Latin America. The minister visited Cuba, Venezuela, Argentina and Brazil. CCTV correspondent Stephen Gibbs looks back at the visit.

The first stop was Cuba.

Minister Wang Yi – with the Cuban foreign minister – started his Latin American tour by urging closer ties between the two countries. Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minister, said: “In this global context, characterized by complex changes, it is very important to strengthen coordination strategy and cooperation between China.”

Cuba is actively seeking foreign investment. But despite previous talks no major deal with China has yet been implemented. A range of possible joint projects – including a car plant – are understood to have been discussed during this visit. There is expectation that a deal will be signed when the Chinese President comes here in July.

The minister’s next stop was Venezuela.

China is already a major investor in this oil rich country, which is currently in the midst of an economic crisis. Wang Yi indicated that Chinese investments would likely increase here, as part of a long-term plan by China to deepen its partnerships with Latin American oil providers.

And then it was on to Argentina.

It was also confirmed that the Chinese president will be visiting in July. In Buenos Aires, various agreements between China and Argentina were signed-covering trade, and aerospace infrastructure.

And the last stop was Brazil.

The biggest economy in this region, and one in which China is now the number one trading partner. Wang Yi said China was seeking to invest, for the long term, in Brazil and other Latin American countries’ infrastructure. The two nations also stressed their belief that the time had come for cooperation beyond the economic.

Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minister, said: “Brazil and China are the biggest developing countries in the world, the two great rising countries, two emerging social forces, and two great economies. The Brazil-Chinese relationship has gone beyond its purely bilateral dimension. It has an increasing global-strategic influence.”

And so the Chinese foreign minister has wrapped up his Latin American tour, here in Brazil. Throughout his meetings he has stressed one consistent point. And that is the new Chinese leadership is keen to deepen its relationships with Latin America.

For more on Chinese – Latin American relations, CCTV’s Asieh Namdar is joined by Laura Carlsen in Mexico City. Laura is the Director of Latin American Rights and Security: Americas Program at the Center for International Policy.

Interview with Laura Carlsen on China-Latin America Relations

For more on Chinese - Latin American relations, CCTV’s Asieh Namdar is joined by Laura Carlsen in Mexico City. Laura is the Director of Latin American Rights and Security: Americas Program at the Center for International Policy.

From a Chinese perspective on Wang Yi’s Latin America tour and China’s strategy in the region, Wu Hongying, Vice president of China Association of Latin American Studies, joins CCTV’s Asieh Namdar to discuss more.

China-Latin America Relationship from a Chinese Perspective

From a Chinese perspective on Wang Yi's Latin America tour and China's strategy in the region, Wu Hongying, Vice president of China Association of Latin American Studies, joins CCTV’s Asieh Namdar to discuss more.