Heine Publishes Op-Ed on China-Latin America Relations & Economic Statecraft
Ambassador Jorge Heine, Research Professor at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, published an op-ed in China Daily on Chinese and Latin American trade collaboration and the foreign investment that could bolster economic gains for the region.
In the article, titled “Chile, China and collective financial statecraft,” Heine discusses Chile’s recent admission to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and how it can leverage this to speed up economic recovery and strengthen trade. As he notes, Latin America was particularly hard hit economically by the COVID-19 pandemic. A rekindling of economic growth in the region is needed, and Heine argues that China, with its AIIB, the New Development Bank, and its policy banks can provide much needed support.
Chile has had long and strong relations with China – it is China’s third-largest trading partner in Latin America and China is the largest source of foreign investment in the country – and Heine argues it could leverage this good will and AIIB membership to facilitate joint projects with regional partners. One such project – the bi-oceanic corridors – “would make it possible for exporters in countries such as Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina to get their exports via Chilean ports to Asia, where the main demand for them is to be found.” This is exactly the kind of project that the AIIB was made for and could accelerate economic recovery in the region.
The full article can be read on China Daily‘s website.
Ambassador Jorge Heine is a Research Professor at the Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University. He has served as ambassador of Chile to China (2014-2017), to India (2003-2007) and to South Africa (1994-1999), and as a Cabinet Minister in the Chilean Government. Read more about Ambassador Heine on his Pardee School faculty profile.