China's Dual Role and Its Implications for Latin America

Abstract

This article examines China's evolving engagement with Latin America, highlighting the dual nature of its global rise and its differentiated impacts on the region. It argues that China functions both as a counter-hegemonic force challenging Western dominance and as an emerging hegemon establishing asymmetric relations with the Global South. Drawing on realism, liberalism, and world-systems analysis, the study conceptualizes China's dual role as both a South–South partner and a strategic power reshaping global governance norms. Methodologically, the study departs from the tendency to treat Latin America as a homogenous bloc by focusing specifically on South America. This approach recognizes internal regional diversity and explores how national political and economic variations shape distinct forms of engagement with China. The analysis highlights China's growing influence through trade, infrastructure investment, and political partnerships. Empirical evidence shows that while countries like Brazil and Chile benefit from surpluses and deeper ties, others such as Mexico and Argentina face growing asymmetries and dependencies. The study concludes that China's role complicates traditional cooperation and development frameworks, embodying both horizontal collaboration and vertical dependency. This complexity invites a rethinking of Latin America's geopolitical repositioning within the shifting global order.