Discussion on China-Latin America relationship takes place at Filven 2019

Within the agenda of the XV International Book Fair of Venezuela (Filven) 2019, this Sunday the conversation entitled “Relationship China and Latin America” was held at the Casa Amarilla, Antonio José de Sucre, by Luis Delgado, academic coordinator of the Center for Higher Studies of Development and Emerging Economies (Cedees), who explained with the presentation of figures the boom that in recent years has been having the trade and bilateral relations between Latin American countries and the Asian giant. At the beginning of his presentation, Delgado pointed out that China is the maximum exponent of globalization of trade and the best ally that peripheral countries have to obtain loans and financing, because it does not impose as a condition the application of political measures of adjustment and privatization as it does the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. He said that because China is the most populous country on the planet, Latin America’s relationship with this nation must be done as a regional bloc, as it is in the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac). The rapporteur provided statistical data demonstrating the strength of these relations: The volume of bilateral trade between China and Latin America reached a record figure in 2018, standing at 307 thousand 400 million dollars, which means an increase of 18.9% compared to the previous year, according to data from the General Administration of Customs of China. According to this same source mentioned by Delgado, the value of exports last year stood at 148 thousand 790 million dollars, while imports reached a figure of 158 thousand 610 million dollars, which meant an increase of 13.7% and 24.1%, respectively. Another important fact commented by the Academic Coordinator of Cedees was that according to figures from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), of the 140 billion dollars that the Chinese government has provided to Latin American countries since 2005, More than 90% has been allocated to Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina and Ecuador. China is the guest of honor for this edition of Filven 2019, which will be open in the historic center of Caracas until November 17.

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