The conference——addressed trilateral relations, and the changing roles and impacts of China’s involvement in Latin America. The event was held in Beijing on October 20-21, 2016 at Renmin University of China.
At a time when relations between China and Latin America have been deepened, there is growing interest among Chinese, American and Latin American academics and policymakers in the economic, political, and social relations between these three key regions of the world. The emergence of China as a primary economic actor in Latin America has reconfigured investment, economic cooperation, business practices, and cultural flows on the one hand, while bringing competition and challenges to the region on the other hand.
Geographically close to Latin America, the United States aims to enhance commercial relations, cultural exchanges, and immigration flows with the region. This at a moment when the relationships between China, the United States and Latin America are evolving. Some Latin American countries are enthusiastic about attracting China’s investment yet wish to maintain a geopolitical balance with the US. China’s activity in Latin America is shaping a new landscape of relations, challenges and opportunities among China, the United States and Latin America.
Ariel Armony, senior director of International Programs and director of UCIS, delivered the keynote address: Key Trends in Latin America and What They Mean for China. Other speakers from the University of Pittsburgh included Scott Morgenstern, director, Center for Latin American Studies; James Cook, acting director, Asian Studies Center; Ravi Madhavan, director, International Business Center; and Thomas Rawski, professor of Economics and History.
The conference attracted a diverse range of speakers and attendees, including:
- Ambassadors to China from Argentina, Brazil and Peru
- Latin American universities and organizations from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico and Panama
- Four other US universities: Brown University, University of California at Berkeley, University of Southern California, and University of Puget Sound
The conference was sponsored by: University of Pittsburgh’s University Center for International Studies, Renmin University of China, Chinese Association for Latin American Studies, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Center for Latin American Studies at Renmin University of China.
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