Advertisement
Is China’s space collaboration with Latin America under threat as the US asserts power?
Trump administration to increase scrutiny of Sino-Latin American space cooperation to curb China’s influence, analysts say
Reading Time:6 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
5

Long-standing space collaboration between China and Latin America is under increasing pressure from the United States, as Washington seeks to curb Beijing’s influence in the region.
Analysts expect the trend to continue, but it is unlikely that Latin-American countries will abandon the China partnership if the US cannot provide competing alternatives.
The latest controversy involves the potential cancellation of an US$80 million astronomical observatory project between China’s National Astronomical Observatory and a Chilean university.
It was reported last month that Chilean President Gabriel Boric had decided to cancel the project following concerns conveyed to Santiago by the Biden administration. The Chilean foreign ministry was reviewing the matter, the reports said.
Observers warn that the Trump White House is likely to intensify scrutiny of Sino-Latin American space cooperation and adopt a more assertive approach.
They expect the United States to continue seeking to block such cooperation, forcing Latin American governments into an increasingly difficult balancing act between the two superpowers.
I envision more confrontations as Latin American governments seek to walk an increasingly narrow tightrope between the US and China
Advertisement