num_pages: 296
description: Since the turn of the century bilateral trade between China and Latin America has increased by more than a factor of ten. In 2000 two-way trade stood at 12.17 billion; by 2019 it had reached $307.94 billion. Coupled with this commercial element of China-Latin America relations is a growing assertiveness in diplomatic and military affairs. Yet Beijing is showing caution in its diplomatic engagement especially with the more left leaning countries of Venezuela and Ecuador. However Latin America's enthusiasm in this regard has taken even the Chinese by surprise.What are we to make of these shifting dynamics? In this detailed and up-to-the-minute investigation Chris Alden author of the critically acclaimed China in Africa  and Alvaro Mendez leading expert in the international relations of Latin America look at the interests strategies and practices of China's incoming power. What can be learned by comparing Latin America with other developing regions in which China has had significant economic ties and a growing diplomatic stake? Does Beijing's approach to Latin America really differ as is often claimed by Chinese leaders from its approach to Africa? And more broadly how should we read the curious and uneven decline of both the US and Europe as actors in the region?
language: English
title: China and Latin America: Development, Agency and Geopolitics
publisher: Bloomsbury Academic