Political Economy of China-Latin America Relations in the New Millennium

In this book, China-Latin America relations experts Margaret Myers and Carol Wise examine the political and economic forces that have underpinned Chinese engagement in the region, as well as the ways in which these forces have shaped economic sectors and policy-making in Latin America. The contributors begin with a review of developments in cross-Pacific statecraft, including the role of private, state-level, sub-national, and extra-regional actors that have influenced China-Latin America engagement in recent years. Part two of the book examines the variety of Latin American development trajectories borne of China’s growing global presence. Contributors analyse the effects of Chinese engagement on specific economic sectors, clusters (the LAC emerging economies), and sub-regions (Central America, the Southern Cone of South America, and the Andean region). Individual case studies draw out these themes.This volume is a welcome addition to the growing body of literature on China-Latin America relations. It illuminates the complex interplay between economics and politics that has characterized China’s relations with the region as a second decade of enhanced economic engagement draws to a close. This volume is an indispensable read for students, scholars and policy makers wishing to gain new insights into the political economy of China-Latin America relations.

'Leading experts on Chinese–Latin American relations puncture lazy myths and widespread hyperbole in this valuable collection of well-edited essays.' - Foreign Affairs 'Myers and Wise bring together some of the best minds in the business—including their own— to give us a brilliant update on the growing China-Latin American nexus. This must-read volume smartly punctures lazy myths and common hyperbole, and loads the reader with reams of essential facts and insightful analyses, to better grasp the complexities of the cross-Pacific ties that will define the 21st century.' - Richard E. Feinberg, UC San Diego, most recently author of "Open for Business: Building the Cuban Economy" (Brookings Institution Press, 2016)'After an enlightening introduction this book is a comprehensive, up-to-date account of the growing complexities in economic and political relations between China and Latin America during this—still new—21st century. This well-documented volume, which explores new patterns of dependency and other competing themes, should be included in every discussion and analysis regarding this complicated relationship.' - Romer Cornejo, El Colegio de México'This excellent collection avoids the pitfall of trying to identify a single China-Latin America relationship and instead searches for difference—different actors, different interests and different outcomes. The result is a book that provides a comprehensive overview of both the opportunities and challenges that have emerged from Chinese interactions with the region. - Shaun Breslin, University of Warwick'This timely volume with its range of perspectives, comes at a welcome time as the international economic, political and security environment and the China-LAC relationship grows more complex. Myers and Wise have pulled together a stellar group of experts who provide new data and fresh perspectives on key topics. This should be required reading for students of Latin America as well as for policymakers interested in better understanding China's outward economic strategy.' - Barbara Kotschwar, Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service'From the perspective of their diverse backgrounds and expertise, the authors in Wise and Myers’ volume offer a unique, multi-faceted examination of the transformational political, economic, social and security issues that have emerged in the 21st Century between China and Latin America as-a-whole as well as its major sub-regions.' - Robert Devlin, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

Margaret Myers is Program Director for China and Latin America at the Inter-American Dialogue. Carol Wise is Associate Professor of International Relations at University of Southern California. She specializes in international political economy and development, with an emphasis on Latin America.