The Heat: China’s influence in the world

The Heat

Mike Walter

Mike Walter

Published December 6, 2018 at 5:34 PM

In just four decades, China has gone through a major transformation and is now one of the world’s most important players.

Its impact and influence are being felt like never before.  As the world’s second largest economy, it has committed hundreds of billions of dollars in trade and investment with nations around the globe.

Its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative now stretches to the Middle East, Europe, Africa and even the Americas. This week, Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a number of agreements with Panama, making it the first country in Latin America to join the investment initiative. 

Before that – in Argentina for the G20 summit – President Xi delivered a speech promoting globalization and free trade. Latin America is enjoying a growing relationship with Beijing, and some countries in the region already list China as a top trading partner.

Meanwhile, Chinese peacekeepers are taking a more prominent role in U.N. missions from Lebanon to South Sudan. But, as its role and exposure grows, how does the rest of the world view China?

To discuss:

  • Isaac Cohen is the former director for the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.
  • David Owiro is an economic and public policy analyst.
  • Nicholas Economides is a professor of Economics at New York University.
  • Peter Ho is a professorial research fellow at the London School of Economics.

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