Chinese activity in S. America, Central Asia.

Are U.S. fears that China wants to be a hegemonic power in Latin America justified? No, China is essentially seizing economic opportunities under a strategy that seeks to maintain current levels of growth. That strategy also explains why China spent $10 billion looking for oil in Africa last year. Although Beijing has a few political goals—such as luring the twelve Latin American countries that support Taiwan towards the “one China” policy, Chinese presence in the region is economically motivated.

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The last thing the Western Hemisphere needs is to adopt the Chinese model of political dictatorship and relative economic freedom or to see Beijing as some form of ideological ally. But moving decisively toward the free flow of ideas, goods, services, capital and people across the Pacific is something that will benefit everyone—the U.S., Latin America and China itself—immensely.

"What is China Up to in the Western Hemisphere?" By Alvaro Vargas Llosa, The Independent Institute, 10/13/05 (emphasis added).

Related IGST posts here (Africa) and here (S. America).

Chinese activity in Central Asia:

Analysts say the Chinese paid top dollar for the Kazakh oil-field rights, part of Beijing's aggressive strategy to lock in foreign energy sources to feed its booming economy.

"China eyes share of Kazakh oil." By Christopher Pala, The Washington Times, 10/27/05.