As has been the case elsewhere in the developing world, the pattern of China’s trade, FDI, and official credit flows to Latin America reflects Beijing’s global emphasis on energy security, raw materials, and infrastructure investment. The vast bulk of China’s imports focuses on just four commodities: oil, iron ore, copper, and soya beans. About 90 percent of Chinese FDI is directed to energy, mining, and particularly infrastructure; as of 2020, some eighty-three major engineering projects—roads, rail, ports, airports, bridges, canals, dredging, and urban transport—were underway across most
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