History gives China, Latin America a rare new opportunity

History is shaped not only by the decisions nations make but also by the opportunities they miss. Over six centuries ago, Admiral Zheng He (1371-1433) of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) led one of the most advanced maritime expeditions, demonstrating the dynasty's technological prowess across the Indian Ocean.

At its naval peak, however, China chose introspection over expansion. Whether these voyages could have crossed the Pacific remains a matter of speculation, but their cessation significantly influenced global history.

Five centuries later, history offers a renewed opportunity. The current objective is partnership rather than discovery. The China-Latin America relationship is now defined by strategic complementarity rather than geographic distance. The Pacific Ocean, once a barrier between distant regions, now serves as a bridge linking economies in an increasingly interconnected world.

There have been concerns in China about the rise of conservative governments in Latin America that appear to favor Washington, particularly as the United States renews its engagement with the region. While these concerns are understandable, they risk conflating temporary electoral cycles with enduring structural realities. Governments and political coalitions change, but geographic and economic fundamentals persist.

For decades, Latin America has alternated between left — and right-leaning governments, liberalization and protectionism, and varying degrees of openness and nationalism. Despite these shifts, a notable continuity remains. Regardless of ideology, administrations consistently aim to attract investment, modernize infrastructure, enhance productivity, create quality employment, and secure positions in emerging industries.

The China-Latin America relationship is not built on ideological affinity but on economic necessity. China needs food security, diversified supply chains, renewable energy, biodiversity, and strategic minerals — resources that underpin artificial intelligence, electric mobility, quantum technologies and advanced manufacturing. Latin America holds these resources in abundance. The region, in turn, seeks investment, logistics, technology, industrial upgrading and access to innovation ecosystems. These can transform natural wealth into sustainable prosperity.

The Chinese saying juli chansheng mei — "distance creates beauty" — highlights a key aspect of this relationship. Unlike in many regions, China and Latin America carry little historical baggage. There are no legacies of territorial disputes, colonial domination, military confrontation or inherited security dilemmas. Their relationship begins with neutrality, allowing cooperation to be shaped by shared interests rather than by unresolved grievances.

Recent efforts in Washington to revive a more assertive hemispheric posture have prompted comparisons to the Monroe Doctrine. However, the international environment has changed profoundly. Latin America today is not what it was in previous generations. Governments in the region recognize that reliance on a single external partner creates vulnerability, not resilience. Diversification has become a strategy for sovereignty.

Latin America's greatest challenge is economic transformation, not military security. The region does not primarily need aircraft carriers or ideological prescriptions; it need sports that integrate supply chains and railways that reduce logistics costs. It also needs digital infrastructure to support artificial intelligence, financing for renewable energy, and technology transfer.

China demonstrates that sustained investment in infrastructure, technology, institutional continuity and long-term planning can reshape economic trajectories. This lesson transcends political systems. For Beijing, the priority is building relationships grounded in shared development interests — partnerships that reflect the continuity of structural complementarity rather than the fluctuations of any single electoral cycle. Strategic partnerships are resilient when rooted in genuine mutual benefit.

Five centuries ago, the seas were left uncrossed. The opportunity was lost, and history changed course. Now, history offers a second chance — not to repeat Zheng He's voyages, but to complete them in a different form. The aim is shared development. The goal is co-creation, not discovery.

Political winds will continue to shift. Ideologies will evolve. Alliances will be renegotiated. However, the structural complementarity between China and Latin America is likely to endure. In an era defined by artificial intelligence, the energy transition and technological change, their partnership is becoming indispensable.

History rarely gives nations a second chance. When it does, wisdom lies not in looking back. Instead, it lies in recognizing the future this chance makes possible.

The author is a visiting professor at China Foreign Affairs University and a senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

If you have a specific expertise, or would like to share your thought about our stories, then send us your writings at opinion@chinadaily.com.cn, and comment@chinadaily.com.cn.