China insists it has no geopolitical motive in relations with Latin America
- Foreign Minister Wang Yi tells Panamanian counterpart Erika Mouynes that Beijing wants a cooperative relationship with other countries
- Comments come after Nicaragua became the latest country in the region to switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan
“China has never had geopolitical considerations in Latin America,” Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Panamanian counterpart Erika Mouynes in a phone call on Tuesday, adding that “China-Panama cooperation is mutual support and assistance among developing countries, with the aim of achieving common development and prosperity”.
Panama was the first Central American country to shift to Beijing in recent years, followed by El Salvador, the Dominican Republic and, most recently, Nicaragua.
Panama was also the first Latin American country to sign up for Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative in 2017 – right after it established diplomatic relations with China.
Between 2000 and 2020, China-Latin American countries trade grew 26-fold from US$12 billion to US$315 billion, according to data from the World Economic Forum.