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Created in 2004 to promote Chinese language instruction and cultural exchange, Confucius Institutes have become one of the most visible instruments of China’s soft power. In 2009, Li Changchun, then a member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Politburo, described them as “an important part of China's overseas propaganda apparatus.” In just over two decades, Confucius Institutes have expanded to…
China’s global expansion of port infrastructure is widely regarded as part of a broader strategy to expand geopolitical influence, secure access to strategic supply chains, and strengthen its long-term positioning. According to the report, Anchoring Global Ambitions, published by AidData in partnership with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Beijing has spent the last two decades building an…
China’s growing role in Peru’s strategic infrastructure is raising new questions about economic dependence, control of critical logistics networks, and Beijing’s expanding influence in South America. In early 2026, the Peruvian government awarded Power Construction Corporation of China (POWERCHINA) a $420 million engineering, procurement, and construction contract to develop a 120-kilometer railway line, connecting the Port of Chancay, on Peru’s…
El Salvador has taken a significant step toward the development of renewable energy by signing a contract with the Chinese state-owned company PowerChina for the construction of a 30 MW photovoltaic project in the municipality of Conchagua, La Unión department. The agreement marks China’s official entry into El Salvador’s renewable energy sector, expanding Beijing’s presence into another strategic area of…
The entry of Chinese automaker Xpeng Motors into Mexico is reinforcing the country’s role as a gateway for highly connected vehicles in Latin America. At the same time, the growing presence of these digital platforms is raising concerns related to data management, connectivity, and their potential impact on critical infrastructure and regional supply chains. In March, the manufacturer announced its…
Across Latin America, Confucius Institutes present themselves as centers for Chinese language instruction and cultural exchange, offering Mandarin courses and traditional arts programs that have attracted students and universities throughout the region. Yet analysts argue these institutes serve a broader strategic purpose: helping Beijing cultivate long-term influence over academic institutions, future decision-makers, and research ecosystems that increasingly intersect with national…
China’s penetration through universities, Confucius Institutes, collaborations with the academic world, scholarships, and international forums is growing in Latin America. The purposes are manifold, ranging from consensus building to industrial and military espionage, but the impact on the region is significant. In addition to compromising countries’ national and economic security, China undermines democracy in the region through propaganda and disinformation.…
The accelerated implementation of China-linked infrastructure projects across Latin America is increasingly challenging institutional oversight mechanisms during execution. This model, which prioritizes rapid delivery, often compresses evaluation and monitoring processes, affecting transparency and long-term sustainability. In countries facing institutional and oversight challenges, analysts warn that accelerated implementation can reduce opportunities for technical review, public scrutiny, and comprehensive oversight. While accelerated…
The expansion of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) in Brazil continues to accelerate, fueling growing concerns related to cybersecurity and the possible dual-use — civilian and strategic — nature of the technologies integrated into these vehicles. Unlike traditional automobiles, modern EVs increasingly function as mobile digital platforms capable of collecting, processing, and transmitting vast amounts of sensitive data in real time.…
China is carrying out an expansive effort to strengthen its position across the world’s oceans, driven by both strategic military interests and the search for critical seabed resources. Recent investigations and maritime tracking data indicate that Beijing has deployed a broad network of underwater mapping and surveillance activities spanning the Pacific, Indian, and Arctic oceans. Analysts say the information collected…
China is intensifying its influence strategy in the Caribbean through a combination of diplomacy, investments, media cooperation, and information campaigns aimed at expanding its strategic presence in the region. According to experts, Beijing is using journalism training programs, content-sharing agreements, ties with local media outlets, and in some cases even coercive practices to promote narratives favorable to its geopolitical interests,…
With global consumption of river and marine sand hovering around 50 billion tons per year, international organizations such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have long warned of the risk of depletion and the serious environmental consequences tied to its growing scarcity. In this context, China stands as the world’s leading consumer, whose vast and sustained demand has already…
