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Chile

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Chile. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Santiago

Head of State

President Gabriel Boric

Head of Government

President Gabriel Boric

People watch a Chinese New Year performance of traditional Chinese dances with a sculptural flag of the Communist Party seen in the background, in Beijing on March 1. Photo: AFP

Two Sessions 2026

China ‘stands firm as a mountain’ to protect overseas interests, compatriots

Pledge from Foreign Minister Wang Yi at most-watched press briefing comes as global volatility tests supply chains and regional influence.

9 Mar 2026 - 9:00AMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

Why won’t Chile let China’s military hospital ship give medical aid?

28 Feb 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

Trip Inspiration

Why the Year of the Fire Horse calls for travel on horseback

13 Feb 2026 - 11:00AM

India

India’s trade blitz seeks to keep afloat a sinking global order

‘Jolted out of its slumber’ by US tariffs, New Delhi is aggressively diversifying trade alliances to act as a bridge in a polarised world.

10 Feb 2026 - 8:54PM

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (centre) with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (right) and European Council President Antonio Costa at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on January 27. Photo: European Council/dpa

Belt and Road Initiative

Trump wants China out of South America – but Peru’s Beijing-backed port is abuzz

Beijing’s hunger for minerals and raw materials is pushing trade in the region to record levels, even after incidents in Panama and Venezuela.

6 Feb 2026 - 7:30AMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

China’s chip breakthrough, Tang Dynasty armour restored: 7 science highlights

From PLA developing quantum weapons to China’s dark matter breakthrough, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.

28 Jan 2026 - 3:37PM

Commodities

Gold surge has analysts eyeing new highs after US$5,100 record

Safe-haven demand spikes amid de-dollarisation fears and supply-chain tensions, as gold buyers seek stability against growing macro uncertainties.

26 Jan 2026 - 3:07PMvideocam

Analysts expect the price of gold to continue climbing this year, building on a safe-haven surge. Photo: AFP

Environment

Opinion | How China can strengthen High Seas Treaty governance

Xiamen’s recognised coastal management approach underpins its bid to host the treaty secretariat.

23 Jan 2026 - 5:30AM

Americas and the Caribbean

Chile’s president-elect picks Pinochet lawyers as ministers of human rights, defence

Jose Antonio Kast installs a ‘great team for difficult times’, after being elected on a wave of anti-crime and anti-immigrant sentiment.

21 Jan 2026 - 2:45PM

Science

The West cheered China’s coal-fired export ban. Then came the massive blackouts

Did Beijing’s decision to stop financing overseas coal plants after pressure from US and Europe lead to mass – yet avoidable – power cuts?

21 Jan 2026 - 6:12AMvideocam

Diplomacy

China bids to host High Seas Treaty secretariat, even as US exits UN bodies

China puts forward Xiamen as potential future home of Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction secretariat as treaty comes into force.

19 Jan 2026 - 10:01PMvideocam

The BBNJ Agreement provides a framework for governing the ocean that lies beyond the jurisdiction of any individual country, covering around two-thirds of global waters. Photo: Shutterstock

Science

China, Chile to explore Atacama Trench with ‘tools no other country possesses’

Three-month expedition will plumb uncharted depths of eastern Pacific in quest for new life forms and insights into quakes and tsunamis.

19 Jan 2026 - 3:33PMvideocam

Natural disasters

Chile declares catastrophe as wildfires rage and kill at least 18

President Boric deploys the military to hard-hit regions as fast-moving blazes devour hundreds of homes.

19 Jan 2026 - 7:34PM

Science

Chinese firm Sinovac to supply vaccine to Chile ahead of flu season

Chilean government procures doses of the jab from China for a second year in a row, with nationwide immunisation campaign to begin in March.

14 Jan 2026 - 3:18AMvideocam

Chile’s vaccination campaign targets education and healthcare workers, school-age children, people with chronic illnesses, infants and young children, older adults, and pregnant women. Photo: Shutterstock

US-Venezuela conflict

Chinese business owner in Venezuela warns of spillover after Maduro’s abduction

Chinese entrepreneurs have returned to South American nation in recent years, but some fear consequences after Washington’s intervention.

6 Jan 2026 - 10:50PMvideocam

Nicolas Maduro in handcuffs after landing at a Manhattan helipad, escorted by heavily armed federal agents as he and his wife make their way into an armoured car en route to a federal courthouse. Photo: TNS

US-Venezuela conflict

Not just oil: is Trump’s Venezuela takeover also about critical minerals?

Venezuela, Greenland and Colombia all have large deposits of rare earths and other minerals needed by US technology and defence companies.

6 Jan 2026 - 6:15PMvideocam

United States

Explainer | US interventions in Latin America: a history of coups and conflicts

From the Bay of Pigs to Operation Condor to Venezuela in 2026: A look at the legacy of CIA-backed coups and US military action in Latin America.

3 Jan 2026 - 11:16PM

Tourism

Expedition to Chile’s Cape Horn reveals awesome nature at the world’s end

A 5-day cruise to South America’s southern tip stuns with fiords, penguins and wind-blasted cliffs reached via the world’s deadliest waters.

30 Dec 2025 - 7:15AM

Expedition crew members walk in Chile’s Cape Horn National Park, one of the southernmost points of South America. A five-day expedition there presents spectacular nature – and danger. Photo: dpa-tmn

Electric & new energy vehicles

Chilean firms partner to form giant company to exploit lithium

Last month China approved the planned partnership between state-owned Codelco and private firm SQM, which features Chinese capital.

28 Dec 2025 - 5:17AM

SCMP Highlights

PLA division’s new leaders, lessons from 2025 trade war: SCMP daily highlights

From the newcomers in charge of PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command to retailers’ retreat from China, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

17 Dec 2025 - 9:15PM

China-Latin America relations

China seeks greater influence in US backyard

The US is trying to shut China out of Latin America, even as the Asian nation outlines plans to further grow trade and investment in the resource-rich region.

17 Dec 2025 - 5:00PM

Chile’s President-elect Jose Antonio Kast. (Photo: Xinhua)

China-Latin America relations

Chile’s sharp shift to the right puts it at the centre of China-US rivalry

Election of Jose Antonio Kast in Latin American country adds to Donald Trump’s vocal allies but analysts expect China ties to stay stable.

17 Dec 2025 - 6:06AMvideocam

Supporters of Chile’s winning presidential candidate Jose Antonio Kast react as the first election results are announced on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Banking & finance

Hong Kong signs tax treaty with Norway, marking fourth such agreement this year

Treasury chief Christopher Hui said the government plans to begin CDTA negotiations with Slovenia and Oman early next year.

16 Dec 2025 - 6:47PM

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Hong Kong is stepping up its competitiveness in aviation

By funding upgrades to the airport and signing international aviation deals, the city is proactively working to expand its global reach.

16 Dec 2025 - 6:45AM

Americas and the Caribbean

Chile takes hard-right turn as Kast scores landslide election victory

Jose Antonio Kast declares Chile ‘wanted change’ as the South American nation chooses its most right-wing president in decades.

15 Dec 2025 - 3:33PM

Jose Antonio Kast after winning the presidential run-off election. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong signs aviation deals with 7 countries to expand global reach

Transport chief Mable Chan says deals reached with mostly Latin American nations, while Airport Authority CEO calls for more investment to manage risks.

9 Dec 2025 - 8:06PM

Hong Kong International Airport. The Airport Authority’s CEO has pointed to continuous investment as a way to mitigate risks in an uncertain business environment. Photo: Jonathan Wong

China-Latin America relations

Trump’s national security blueprint aims to combat China’s rise in Latin America

Framework pledges to stop competitors from threatening the stability and political alignment of neighbouring countries in the region.

6 Dec 2025 - 7:37AMvideocam

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Fact-Check | Firefighters in Hong Kong? This video was shot in Chile in 2024

An old video is being misrepresented online as Hong Kong authorities battling deadly blaze in Tai Po.

1 Dec 2025 - 4:15PM

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Chile

China ‘stands firm as a mountain’ to protect overseas interests, compatriots

Pledge from Foreign Minister Wang Yi at most-watched press briefing comes as global volatility tests supply chains and regional influence.

Why won’t Chile let China’s military hospital ship give medical aid?

Why the Year of the Fire Horse calls for travel on horseback

India’s trade blitz seeks to keep afloat a sinking global order

‘Jolted out of its slumber’ by US tariffs, New Delhi is aggressively diversifying trade alliances to act as a bridge in a polarised world.

Trump wants China out of South America – but Peru’s Beijing-backed port is abuzz

Beijing’s hunger for minerals and raw materials is pushing trade in the region to record levels, even after incidents in Panama and Venezuela.

China’s chip breakthrough, Tang Dynasty armour restored: 7 science highlights

From PLA developing quantum weapons to China’s dark matter breakthrough, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.

Gold surge has analysts eyeing new highs after US$5,100 record

Safe-haven demand spikes amid de-dollarisation fears and supply-chain tensions, as gold buyers seek stability against growing macro uncertainties.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | How China can strengthen High Seas Treaty governance

Xiamen’s recognised coastal management approach underpins its bid to host the treaty secretariat.

Chile’s president-elect picks Pinochet lawyers as ministers of human rights, defence

Jose Antonio Kast installs a ‘great team for difficult times’, after being elected on a wave of anti-crime and anti-immigrant sentiment.

The West cheered China’s coal-fired export ban. Then came the massive blackouts

Did Beijing’s decision to stop financing overseas coal plants after pressure from US and Europe lead to mass – yet avoidable – power cuts?

China bids to host High Seas Treaty secretariat, even as US exits UN bodies

China puts forward Xiamen as potential future home of Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction secretariat as treaty comes into force.

China, Chile to explore Atacama Trench with ‘tools no other country possesses’

Three-month expedition will plumb uncharted depths of eastern Pacific in quest for new life forms and insights into quakes and tsunamis.

Chile declares catastrophe as wildfires rage and kill at least 18

President Boric deploys the military to hard-hit regions as fast-moving blazes devour hundreds of homes.

Chinese firm Sinovac to supply vaccine to Chile ahead of flu season

Chilean government procures doses of the jab from China for a second year in a row, with nationwide immunisation campaign to begin in March.

Chinese business owner in Venezuela warns of spillover after Maduro’s abduction

Chinese entrepreneurs have returned to South American nation in recent years, but some fear consequences after Washington’s intervention.

Not just oil: is Trump’s Venezuela takeover also about critical minerals?

Venezuela, Greenland and Colombia all have large deposits of rare earths and other minerals needed by US technology and defence companies.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | US interventions in Latin America: a history of coups and conflicts

From the Bay of Pigs to Operation Condor to Venezuela in 2026: A look at the legacy of CIA-backed coups and US military action in Latin America.

Expedition to Chile’s Cape Horn reveals awesome nature at the world’s end

A 5-day cruise to South America’s southern tip stuns with fiords, penguins and wind-blasted cliffs reached via the world’s deadliest waters.

Chilean firms partner to form giant company to exploit lithium

Last month China approved the planned partnership between state-owned Codelco and private firm SQM, which features Chinese capital.

PLA division’s new leaders, lessons from 2025 trade war: SCMP daily highlights

From the newcomers in charge of PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command to retailers’ retreat from China, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

China seeks greater influence in US backyard

The US is trying to shut China out of Latin America, even as the Asian nation outlines plans to further grow trade and investment in the resource-rich region.

Chile’s sharp shift to the right puts it at the centre of China-US rivalry

Election of Jose Antonio Kast in Latin American country adds to Donald Trump’s vocal allies but analysts expect China ties to stay stable.

Hong Kong signs tax treaty with Norway, marking fourth such agreement this year

Treasury chief Christopher Hui said the government plans to begin CDTA negotiations with Slovenia and Oman early next year.

Opinion | Hong Kong is stepping up its competitiveness in aviation

By funding upgrades to the airport and signing international aviation deals, the city is proactively working to expand its global reach.

Chile takes hard-right turn as Kast scores landslide election victory

Jose Antonio Kast declares Chile ‘wanted change’ as the South American nation chooses its most right-wing president in decades.

Hong Kong signs aviation deals with 7 countries to expand global reach

Transport chief Mable Chan says deals reached with mostly Latin American nations, while Airport Authority CEO calls for more investment to manage risks.

Trump’s national security blueprint aims to combat China’s rise in Latin America

Framework pledges to stop competitors from threatening the stability and political alignment of neighbouring countries in the region.

Fact-Check | Firefighters in Hong Kong? This video was shot in Chile in 2024

An old video is being misrepresented online as Hong Kong authorities battling deadly blaze in Tai Po.

Opinion | How China can strengthen High Seas Treaty governance

Explainer | US interventions in Latin America: a history of coups and conflicts