The rise of China, India and the BRICS Group, as well as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), means that the United States no longer has a monopoly on options
By: Roberto Morejón
The emergence of new geographic centres with development potential urges Latin America and the Caribbean to seek new approaches to extra-regional cooperation.
The rise of China, India and the BRICS Group, as well as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), means that the United States no longer has a monopoly on options, which come with conditions and impositions.
For the countries south of the Rio Bravo, this new situation opens up the possibility of diversifying their ties and reducing their structural and geopolitical dependence.
China is a serious and powerful ally, and the benefits of our growing commercial relationship should be recognized.
Trade has exceeded 500 billion dollars, compared to 12 billion in 2000.
Beijing purchases raw materials from this part of the Western Hemisphere, provides financing for infrastructure projects, and offers technologies.
The recent forum between China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which included an inaugural speech by President Xi Jinping, was well-received in this part of the world.
The CELAC-China Joint Action Plan for Cooperation in Common Areas, issued at the aforementioned ministerial meeting, sets out some interesting objectives for collaboration until 2027.
At the forum, China presented a comprehensive cooperation scheme with significant potential, in line with the urgent needs and expectations of the region.
In Beijing, discussions focused on industrial investments, multilateralism, enterprise creation and strengthening, port construction, food exchanges, technological and informational research, and energy transition.
The Chinese Head of State discussed the possibility of providing almost 10 billion dollars in financing and advocated talks on tourism.
Therefore, for a region with high levels of poverty and inequality, having China as a trade partner is promising; the next step is to implement ideas, plans and concepts.
This must be done bearing in mind that the United States has declared a trade war on China, to which China has responded swiftly and energetically.
Nevertheless, Latin America and the Caribbean can count on a vital international cooperation agreement for development to fulfil the UN's 2030 Agenda.
To strengthen ties with China, prejudices encouraged by the media, Washington and Brussels must be eliminated.
