Advancing Autonomy? Chinese Influence on Regional Governance in Latin America
This chapter examines the contradictory impact of China on recent attempts to construct autonomous regional governance in Latin America. Although China’s growing economic presence has seemingly created opportunities for countries to reduce their dependence on the United States, Chinese economic influence has been decidedly liberal in nature. China’s diverse ties with Latin America do not suggest an ideological preference for post-hegemonic or post-liberal regionalism. Bilaterally, China counts both liberal and anti-liberal governments among its strategic partners. Multilaterally, it maintains relations with regional organizations across the Western Hemisphere, irrespective of whether the United States is a member or not. There is little evidence that China actively supports Latin American or South American efforts to construct autonomous governance.