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 countries in the region.
