What we do?

• The event provided an opportunity to examine China’s adaptive strategies and their impact on Latin America.
• For the first time, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace collaborated with Universidad del Pacífico to host an event in Latin America.

On November 11, 2025, Universidad del Pacifico, through the Center for China and Asia-Pacific Studies (CECHAP), together with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, organized the event “Adaptive China: Connecting with Local Realities in Latin America and Beyond.” The activity brought together international and local experts to analyze how China adapts to diverse contexts and how these interactions are reshaping political, economic, and social dynamics in the region.

A Historical and Cultural Overview

Gustavo Yamada, Vice President for Research at Universidad del Pacifico, welcomed participants and recalled that the relationship between Peru and China dates back to the 19th century with the arrival of the first migrant workers. He also highlighted the significant cultural influence China has had in the country, particularly on Peruvian-Chinese cuisine.

“Fifteen years ago, our exports to China totaled 5 billion dollars, accounting for 15% of the total. Today that figure has quintupled, and China has become our main trading partner, representing nearly 40% of our exports,” he noted, underscoring the strategic relevance of this relationship for both the Peruvian and regional economy.

Cynthia Sanborn, Director of CECHAP, emphasized the Center’s role in promoting research and fostering informed dialogue on China’s expansion and the Asia-Pacific region. “It is a space to learn from China while also reflecting on how our communities shape that interaction,” she stated, highlighting that the event aimed to explore the diversity of China’s presence through the experiences of local actors such as investors, students, workers, and scholars.

For his part, Evan A. Feigenbaum, Vice President for Studies in Carnegie emphasized that research led by local experts helps empirically understand China’s presence in different countries. The collaboration with CECHAP brings visibility to emerging voices from the region and strengthens academic analysis of China’s expansion beyond traditional stereotypes.

From Theoretical Analysis to Global Discussion

The keynote lecture was delivered by Jorge Heine, expert in international relations and former Chilean ambassador to China, India, and South Africa. Heine highlighted China’s role as a key player in Latin America’s commercial landscape and examined the growth of Chinese investment and financial cooperation. He also discussed the U.S. perspective on Latin America’s relationship with China and how it has evolved over time. He concluded by outlining the region’s current dilemma: navigating between the United States’ exclusionary rhetoric, Europe’s indifference, and a China that is increasingly influential on the Latin American stage.

The panel discussion featured Omar Manky Bonilla, professor and researcher at Universidad del Pacifico; Juliana Gonzalez Jauregui, senior researcher at FLACSO–Argentina; Celio Hiratuka, professor at the State University of Campinas; and Tin Hinane El-Kadi, postdoctoral researcher at Oxford University. Comments were provided by Evan A. Feigenbaum, with moderation by Cynthia Sanborn.

The event underscored the importance of creating spaces for dialogue that integrate international research with local experience. Through this activity, Universidad del Pacifico, via CECHAP, reaffirms its commitment to rigorous analysis of globally relevant issues, contributing to a deeper understanding of the relationship between China and Latin America.