Sabino Vaca Narvaja Photo: Courtesy of Sabino Vaca Narvaja

Editor's Note:
China and Latin America have witnessed a significant expansion in their relations and cooperation over recent years, driven by mutual interests in trade, investment and development. This burgeoning relationship is characterized by a surge in Chinese investments in infrastructure, energy and agriculture across the region, alongside a growing exchange of goods and services. Additionally, platforms such as the China-CELAC Forum have facilitated dialogue and collaboration on various fronts, including technology transfer, cultural exchange and sustainable development. As the role of the Global South is increasingly growing on the global stage for a fairer world order, the relations between the two regions carry a great significance, both regions navigate the complexities of a changing global landscape. Their partnership is poised to deepen, fostering greater economic integration and shared prosperity. How do the people of Latin America view the cooperation between China and the region? What does this cooperation mean for the region and the world? Global Times reporter Xie Wenting (GT) spoke with former Argentinian ambassador to China Sabino Vaca Narvaja (Narvaja) on these topics and more. 

GT: How do you evaluate China's presence in Latin America and the level of cooperation between China and Latin America? What does this cooperation bring to Latin America? 

Narvaja: A fundamental issue in the bilateral cooperation between China and Latin America is the concrete investments that China makes in key sectors for the development of the region. China is very interested in the progress of Latin America, particularly South America, as both have complementary economic structures and great potential for cooperation. An important point is that Chinese financing is provided without China imposing any kind of political preconditions on the recipient country or seeking to establish a military presence, something that cannot be said of US foreign policy. Let's look at the case of Argentina: In recent years, China has made substantial investments, particularly in the lithium mining sector, which is key to the manufacturing of batteries used in the niche sector of electromobility and for the storage of renewable energies that greatly contribute to the decarbonization of the planet. The same is true for other commodities linked to the mining sector, so if things are done right, Argentina could be on its way to becoming a powerhouse of raw materials in the coming years. Another important case to consider is that of Peru, with the inauguration of the Chancay megaport and an optimized free trade agreement China signed with the country. More than 30 different agreements to enhance cooperation and integration between the two countries were signed. According to news reports, this would increase trade between them by at least 50 percent. And we can continue with other examples; it is impressive what cooperation between China and our region can achieve for the parties involved.

Chancay Port in Peru constructed by China's COSCO Shipping Ports Ltd  Photo: IC

GT: How do you assess China's role in the Global South? 

Narvaja: China's position is not new. Since its rise to the status of a global power, China has sought to cement its image as a "responsible great power" alongside its characteristic "peaceful rise." To this end, it has developed a prudent and sensible approach, avoiding interference in the conflicts and disputes of other countries, both internal and external. Regarding the former, China upholds the principle of non-interference, which it originally advocated within the framework of the "Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence" 70 years ago, and later incorporated into the preamble of its Constitution and into treaties signed with many of its Asian neighbors. A few years ago, China announced that it follows a "five-no" approach in its relations with Africa which includes "no interference in their internal affairs" at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Regarding disputes and conflicts between countries, China has a policy of friendship and cooperation with the vast majority, particularly with those that share the common identity of the Global South. Therefore, it seeks to maintain a balanced position with all parties in conflict and does not take a stand for or against either side. 

In recent years, China has significantly increased its diplomatic involvement, as seen in the Middle East, facilitating the resumption of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which highlights the strategic shift China has made toward a more assertive role in global geopolitics. I believe that China has an increasingly evident and prominent leadership role in the new international order, particularly concerning countries that are part of the Global South, with which it seeks to reach consensus on key positions in major global forums, such as the United Nations.

The same applies to BRICS platform. BRICS+ encompasses a heterogeneity of countries that have occasionally distinct political, strategic, and economic agendas, but that, like the Non-Aligned Movement, aspire to an international order based on multilateralism that is fairer, more democratic, and sustainable. As can be seen, the underlying principles of the Bandung Conference that gave rise to the formation of that group have never disappeared; rather, they are more relevant than ever in the cooperative and just order that China proposes internationally for the new era.

GT: You have been in China for several years and have traveled to many places. How do you assess China's lessons in poverty reduction, and what can Latin American countries learn from China's experience in this area? 

Narvaja: Indeed, I have traveled to most regions of China and have witnessed enormous progress. Since the beginning of the economic reform and opening-up process in 1979, China's modernization has been impressive. China has, to date, lifted more than 800 million people out of poverty, while simultaneously creating a vast urban middle class with significant purchasing power of over 400 million Chinese. China has become the main trading partner of more than 140 countries and regions and contributes to the global economy with investments around the world. In fact, in the last decade, it has driven global growth more than the G7 countries combined. In this sense, the exponential growth experienced by China in recent years should serve as an example for Latin American economies and, at the same time, be a tool that helps us think about our own development, reflecting on how China's transformation can benefit the growth of Latin American countries and Argentina in particular.

GT: What is your interpretation of the Global Development Initiative and its implications for the world? 

Narvaja: On the one hand, the Global Development Initiative is based on the premise of achieving balanced and inclusive growth, paying special attention to environmental protection, development, and the inclusion of the poorest, as well as technology transfer. Thinking in this way means considering the future of the world in a human and civilizational sense. 

This idea is important because, as I have mentioned on previous occasions, it implicitly contains a moral substrate, which is the will to build, despite differences, a common and harmonious world for all. Not just for us, but for the Chinese, for Latin Americans in general, for Africans, and for everyone, without distinction of creed, race, or government. On the other hand, just as there is a moral substrate, there is also a moral imperative in this initiative, which relates to striving for common prosperity and respect for others. What the Chinese call a "community of shared future" exceeds the framework of a mere contract and, therefore, we could describe it as denser, deeper, in the sense of a true civilizational proposal, a Global Civilization Initiative.