Chaufa - Thursday, May 11
China-Ecuador FTA, Bolivia considers the RMB, pleading the CPTPP case with a Mexican governor, and Massa gets invite to Shanghai
Happy Thursday, and welcome to Chaufa, a China, Taiwan & Western Hemisphere newsletter.
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Quote of the day
“In Latin America, we have always had a great influence from the United States ... but today many countries have more foreign trade with China. Things are changing.” - Bolivian President Arce, per TRT World
Top stories, in brief:
China and Ecuador officially signed their FTA, with estimates suggesting it could boost Ecuador’s non-oil exports by $3-4 billion over the next 10 years.
Following Brazil and Argentina’s lead, Bolivia’s president said that he was looking into using the RMB in place of the dollar for international trade.
The governor of the Mexican state of Querétaro met with the Chinese ambassador to discuss investment, tourism, and cultural exchanges, where the ambassador pled the PRC’s case for joining CPTPP.
Beijing’s ambassador to Buenos Aires invited Argentine economy minister Massa to Shanghai for a meeting of BRICS economic officials in late May.
The roundup
Politics and government
Tegucigalpa’s mayor met with the new Chinese ambassador to discuss possible investments, calling the new China-Honduras relationship a “great opportunity.” (Hondudiario)
Acting governor of Rio Grande do Sul met with the PRC ambassador to Brazil to discuss expanding agriculture trade. (Governo do Estado)
The Dominican Republic released a letter Xi sent to President Abinader on the 5th anniversary of relations, praising the president for prioritizing Sino-DR relations and his “firm support for the Chinese side.” (Diario Libre)
Trudeau doubled down on Canada’s decision to expel a PRC diplomat after Beijing responded with a tit-for-tat, arguing “we will not be intimidated.” A Chinese spokesman called the expulsion “ill-founded and erroneous.”
Trade, infrastructure and investment
Chilean firm Vivipra signed an agreement with Xiamen King Long International to purchase at least 500 electric buses.
Power China will invest $360 million (1.8 billion Reals) in a 343 MW solar park in the Brazilian state of Ceará. (Canal Solar)
The Bahamas received a donation of medical supplies from Beijing, the 13th since the beginning of the pandemic. (Telesur)
Up to 90,000 jobs (15k direct, 75k indirect) are at risk in Honduras due to the split in relations with Taiwan, since it will take some time for shrimp to be certified for the PRC market. (Radio HRN)
Taiwan
The Taipei’s ambassador to Asuncion reassured the importance of the Taiwan-Paraguay relationship in a discussion with the current president on agricultural exports. (ABC)
Speaking to reporters in a meeting with Vice President Lai, St. Kitts’s deputy PM reiterated that his country would continue to support Taiwan.
Analysis and opinion
A new piece by Scott MacDonald in Global Americans argues that China is a key source for mercury used in illegal mining in Suriname.
Because of Mexico’s reliance on trade with the U.S., Washington’s issues of concern like cybersecurity and drug trafficking are negatively affecting the Sino-Mexican relationship, according to Bibiana Belsasso for La Razon.
Culture and science
A group of 30 Latin American and Caribbean ambassadors spoke at Tsinghua University last month to discuss the Chinese path to modernization and the global outlook. (PRNewswire)
Xinhua did a profile on the sister city relationship between Grand Bahama of the Bahamas and Hunan Province, with a Hunan Acrobatic Art Theater visiting the Caribbean country to celebrate its 50 years of independence.
That’s it for today! See you on Saturday for another roundup and some analysis.
