90% of Chinese View China–Latin America Ties as Vital: Survey

A survey conducted by Global Times Research Centre found that over 90% of respondents affirmed the importance of harmonious and friendly China-Latin America relations for China's future development. Most hope that the current state of relations will be maintained or will become even more amicable. 

U.S. pressure and interference were identified as the main obstacles to relations between the two areas, while the mutually beneficial and win-win nature of China-Latin America cooperation was widely recognized.

This survey was conducted by the Global Times Research Center, in collaboration with the Latin American Council of Social Sciences (CLACSO) and the China-Latin America Center for Education, Science and Culture. The following is the result of an investigation conducted in China.

When asked about their first impressions of Latin America, many respondents spontaneously mentioned keywords such as football, which ranked the highest in frequency. Other frequently mentioned representative elements included enthusiasm, samba, rainforests, cuisine, culture, and coffee.

In terms of Latin American personality traits, 55% of the respondents chose “passionate and extroverted” as the most accurate words to describe Latin Americans, while other words are frequently mentioned as well: “Optimistic and positive” (43%) and “creative” (39%). Additionally, some Chinese people view Latin Americans as self-disciplined and hardworking, persistent, present-focused, and strongly family-oriented.

Regarding Latin Americans’ perceived level of happiness, 53% believed it to be “high” or “very high,” and another 37% rated it as “average,” bringing the total to a substantial 91%.

Nearly 89% of respondents rated Latin America’s current level of economic development as “average or above,” with about half believing it to be “high” or “very high.” The top three factors for future development identified were rich natural resources, personality of openness and enthusiasm, and natural landscapes, each chosen by about half of the respondents. More than 30% also selected “vast market potential” and “peaceful environment” as key opportunities.

“Compared with the survey we conducted 20 years ago on ‘Latin America in the Eyes of Chinese People,’ these results show a more comprehensive understanding of the region”, said Guo Cunhai in an interview with Global Times, the Director of the Social and Cultural Studies Division at the Institute of Latin American Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. “Football remains the most frequently mentioned topic, which hasn’t changed. What has changed is that terms like ‘enthusiastic,’ ‘extroverted,’ and ‘optimistic’ are now mentioned more often, indicating that Chinese people now tend to appreciate the region’s inner spirit than solely focusing on the material level”, Guo explained.

In recent years, products imported from Latin America—such as cherries, beef, and wine—have increasingly appeared in the daily lives of Chinese consumers. The survey showed that 87% of respondents had used or purchased goods from Latin America. Cherries had the highest usage/ purchase rate at 46%, followed by beef, coffee, and avocados, all exceeding 30%. Wine came close to 30% (29%), while shrimp, rum, tequila, and cigars each hovered around 20%.

Survey data also indicates that the Chinese public strongly agrees with the mutually beneficial nature of China-Latin America cooperation. When asked which side benefits more from the cooperation, 83% of respondents chose “mutual benefit and win-win”.  Additionally, a vast majority (91%) affirmed Latin America’s role as a participant, contributor, or beneficiary in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Gabriel Merino, coordinator of CLACSO’s “China and the Global Map of Power” working group, told the Global Times that China’s infrastructure investments in the region—roads, railways, ports, dams, and energy—are generally well-received by local populations, citing Peru’s Chancay Port and railway investments in Argentina as examples. He also noted promising prospects for future China-Latin America cooperation in technology development. Lourdes Regueiro, another coordinator from the same group, stated that China offers Latin America a model of partnership that is not based on political conditions or ideological alignment. For this reason, China is viewed as a major development partner in the region that does not impose political or economic models.

This survey coincided with the U.S. government’s announcement of so-called “reciprocal tariffs” worldwide. When asked about the impact of this policy on China-Latin America trade, nearly half (48%) of respondents believed it would disrupt the global trade order and negatively affect bilateral trade. Another 15% said the impact was uncertain and that Latin America might be forced to choose sides between China and the U.S. Meanwhile, 24% believed the move would help expand trade between China and Latin America, and just over 10% said it would have no impact or gave no clear response.

The survey also found that when asked about the main obstacles to the development of relations between China and Latin America, "pressure and provocation from the U.S." ranked first, with a selection rate of 41%, far exceeding other factors. More than half (54%) of the respondents see the U.S. as a negative influence on China-Latin America cooperation.

76% of participants believe current China-Latin America relations are “friendly” or “very friendly”,  while 21% view them as “neutral.” Additionally, 96% consider Latin American countries to be diplomatic partners, friendly nations, or strategic collaborators for China. A vast majority—95%—affirm the importance of a harmonious and friendly China-Latin America relations for China’s future development. Looking ahead, 62% of respondents hope to see even closer ties, while 33% prefer to maintain the current level of relations, with the two figures totaling 95%.

 Key areas for future China–Latin America cooperation include green development and environmental protection, trade and investment, infrastructure construction, renewable energy development, and high-tech industries such as artificial intelligence. Wang Youming, a researcher at the China Institute of International Studies, noted that Latin American countries place great importance on environmental protection, while China has a competitive edge in the industrial chains related to new energy vehicles and lithium batteries. He added that cooperative initiatives such as the “Digital Belt and Road” and the “Green Belt and Road” are closely connected with Latin American countries, reflecting strong mutual willingness, concrete actions, and promising prospects for collaboration in the field of green development.

The results show that 97% of Chinese respondents express strong interest in various aspects of Latin America, including its history, culture, science and technology, and sports. Among these, “history and ancient civilizations” and “literature and the arts” are the most attracted areas, with 53% and 44% of respondents selecting them, respectively. Over 30% of participants are also interested in Latin American science and technology, sports, and economy. Additionally, more than one-third of those surveyed hope to deepen their understanding of Latin America through exposure to Latin American films and TV shows, participation in cultural exchange activities such as music, dance, and cuisine, and reading Latin American literature.

In recent years, the overall influence of Global South countries has risen significantly. As a key member of this group, Latin America has also seen its strategic position and visibility in international affairs grow in parallel. Nearly 60% (57%) of the respondents believe that Latin America’s role in global governance will increase in the future.

When asked about common characteristics between China and Latin America, 97% of them acknowledged shared traits. Among the most recognized are: support for peace and the building of a new international political and economic order (52%), a rich and ancient civilization (52%), and a strong focus on green development and environmental protection (49%). Additionally, 46% think that both sides support multilateralism and the United Nations, and there is also high recognition of the shared identity as Global South countries and their histories of anti-imperialism and anti-colonialism.

Regueiro noted, “Latin America sees itself as part of the Global South—a tacit consensus within the region. As the world moves toward greater multipolarity, I believe the voice and demands of the Global South will become more prominent on the international political agenda. Latin America and China will play active roles in shaping a new international political and economic order.”

The views don't necessarily reflect those of BeijingReviewDossier.