Suchergebnisse

China's interest in Latin America has grown tremendously in the past few years. Chinese trade and investment in Latin America have soared since the late 1990s. This article examines goals, strategies, and prospects of China's quest for influence in Latin America and its implications. The author concludes that China has moved cautiously from a radical to a more pragmatic approach to achieve its goals in Latin America. Despite its disagreements with the United States about many issues, Beijing has adopted a low-key approach and managed to avoid any public confrontation with the United States in the Western Hemisphere. So far China is still a long way from posing a serious threat to the interests of the United States in the region. Adapted from the source document.

The expansion of China's middle class since the late 1970s has inspired some political scientists to speculate that rapid economic growth and the ensuing rise of the middle class could constitute the basis for a democratic transition. This article analyzes the political implications of the emergence of the Chinese middle class and discusses how the Chinese Communist Party copes with the rising middle class. This article concludes that at present, the Chinese middle class quietly endorses the leadership in Beijing. Nevertheless, as economic growth continues, the middle class will not only grow in size but also may change its political attitude. Following the footpaths of its counterparts in the West and other Asian countries, the Chinese middle class may develop not only post-material lifestyle and values, hut also play an important role in the struggle for democracy. (Asian Aff/GIGA)