[Img]: Photographed by your author and webmaster (of CSA) on December 13, 2012 – Shwedagon Pagoda – Yangon – Myanmar
I must apologize to all readers for the lack of updates during the past 2-3 weeks. I was traveling in Myanmar (Burma) with very limited access to the internet, and when access was available speeds were quite slow.
~ Bennett
Image courtesy of Nasa – Screenshot from NASA’s globe software World Wind using a public domain layer, such as Blue Marble, MODIS, Landsat, SRTM, USGS or GLOBE
As many news programs, news papers, bloggers, and commentators of all sorts have mentioned — Latin America (Immigration Reform and the War on Drugs to) where virtually ignored throughout the entire campaign and mentioned only one time during the Presidential Debates by Mitt Romney.
Yes there are a great many problems around the world. Particularly in the Asia-Pacific, North Africa, and Middle East regions. Not to mention the Eurozone economic crisis, or Hurricane Sandy, but to totally ignore 3/4 of the geographic space in the Western Hemisphere… As your author I say “Shame on you United States of America, and I implore your elected officials to begin paying more attention to your neighbors down South!”
Below CSA presents some articles from different perspectives and sources which are examining this question of why the US has so ignored the region of Latin America.
Reuters: Analysis: Obama faces Latin America revolt over drugs, trade
By Brian Winter
SAO PAULO | Fri Nov 9, 2012 9:55am EST
(Reuters) – President Barack Obama will face an unprecedented revolt by Latin American countries against the U.S.-led drug war during his second term and he also may struggle to pass new trade deals as the region once known as “America’s backyard” flexes its muscles like never before.
Washington’s ability to influence events in Latin America has arguably never been lower. The new reality is as much a product of the United States’ economic struggles as a wave of democracy and greater prosperity that has swept much of the region of 580 million people in the past decade or so.
It’s not that the United States is reviled now – far from it. Although a few vocally anti-U.S. leaders like Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez tend to grab the media spotlight, Obama has warm or cordial relations with Brazil, Mexico and other big countries in the region.
Most Latin American leaders were rooting, either privately or publicly, for his re-election on Tuesday.
Click here to read the complete article direct from Reuters
The Guatemala Times: The US elections: a view from Latin America
It has been this year’s most notable absentee: whatever happened to Latin America as a theme in the presidential campaign?
A great paradox in Tuesday’s United States elections is that of the growing significance of the Hispanic vote and the almost total absence of Latin America on the candidates’ agenda. The Hispanic vote is particularly important in swing states such as Florida and Nevada, although its presence is much wider—in California, Texas, Arizona, New York, New Mexico and Illinois, among other states.
Though the relationship between Hispanic voters and black candidates has been historically a complex one, Hispanics came through for Barack Obama in 2008, with 65% of their votes going to the candidate of “hope and change”. This time, polls indicate as much as 70% of them will vote for the incumbent president. This could make the difference between winning or losing in Nevada (where Obama is ahead, albeit by a small margin) and in Florida (which is essentially tied).
In years to come, the state to watch is Texas. According to many observers, the growing Mexican-American population there, whose most visible up-and-coming leader is Julian Castro, the charismatic mayor of San Antonio, who delivered a rousing keynote at the Democratic Convention in Charlotte last August, will mean that some point in the near future the Hispanic vote will have Texas switch from a Republican to a Democratic majority state. With California and New York already in that camp, flipping Texas may mean relegating the Republican party to a permanent minority condition in the Electoral College, confined to the Deep South and the Rocky Mountain states.
Click here to read the complete article direct from the Guatemala Times
World Policy Blog: The U.S. Should Stop Ignoring Latin America
By Robert Valencia
A great share of the world grew disappointed after seeing the last debate between President Barack Obama and former Governor Mitt Romney, where foreign policy rhetoric geared heavily toward Middle East and Chinese affairs. Latin America only received one brief mention by Romney. Given the current domestic gridlock in Washington D.C. and the mounting turmoil in Syria and Afghanistan, Latin America is doomed to be on the back burner once again, but a new White House administration should change this by curbing the War on Drugs and strengthening its bonds with Brazil, the second largest economy in the Americas
Latin Americans should not expect a 180-degree change in U.S. policies after the election. During the first Republican debates this year, three presidential hopefuls—Romney included—talked about Cuba and Venezuela’s possible connections with Al-Qaeda, and expressed their wish to see Fidel Castro dead. Yet no Republican candidate offered concrete steps in fostering democracy, strengthening economic bonds or improving security.
Both Obama and Romney have vowed to continue the U.S. War on Drugs. At the Summit of the Americas in Colombia, President Obama emphasized that he would not change the draconian policy, despite its dire consequences for those both north and south of Rio Grande. Likewise, Romney made clear on U.S. Hispanic TV channel Univision that he would continue the same drug policies as the current administration. No, the White House will not change its position, despite the outrageous death toll in Mexico, the new routes for smuggling narcotics onto U.S. streets, the indiscriminate incarceration of U.S. citizens of color for possessing small amounts of drugs, and the disastrous effects on Central American villages of military raids against drug kingpins.
Click here to read the complete article direct from the World Policy Blog
Kevin Edmonds
The Other Side of Paradise
November 8, 2012
Early Wednesday morning the Caribbean breathed a sigh of relief with the re-election of Barack Obama. A Romney victory would have ushered in a period of uncertainty, as it was expected that he would pursue a more aggressive stance towards Cuba and other left leaning governments in the region. During the debates however, it became apparent that Latin America and the Caribbean was not an area of deep concern for either candidate as the foreign policy discussion was intensely focused on matters relating to the potential conflict with Iran, security in post-Gaddafi Libya, Israel/Palestine, Syria and the trade imbalance with China.
While Caribbean Prime Ministers immediately extended their congratulations to Obama, their expressions of cautious optimism also came with calls for more meaningful engagement with the region. For example, Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit sent his congratulations to Obama, remarking that “The relationship between the United States and Dominica continues to be strong, based on mutual respect…we work very diligently on matters relating to regional security and we look forward to advancing those efforts. Clearly, the U.S. focus is on anti-terrorism matters and they moved away from issues relating to development in the region. But I am hoping that the new term of President Obama there would be some kind of re-direction towards developmental issues.”
Click here to read the complete article direct from NACLA
The Huffington Post: Latin America 2013: A Look Ahead
By Eric FarnsworthVice President, Council of the Americas
Assuming that the world does not end, according to the Mayan calendar in December, 2013 will be an important year south of the U.S. border. There are a number of issues to watch in determining the hemisphere’s direction, although most depend less on the Nov. 6 election results and more on factors that are out of White House control. Savvy observers of the region will watch the 10 “C’s” as the real policy drivers.
The first of these is Castro, as in Raul and Fidel. The U.S. election may bring a moderate tightening or loosening of U.S. restrictions on engagement with the island. The Cuban regime may or may not continue its episodic policy liberalization — Cuban perestroika — as a means to extend rather than overturn the Cuban system. But the real driver of change will be the death of one or both of the Castros. While it’s true that no one has yet won a bet predicting their death, even the Castro brothers will succumb at some point to nature. Each passing year makes that more likely. When they do, there will be a power struggle on the island, and the United States will be faced with the critical decision of how to respond. This will be a game-changer, with historic implications, sucking the oxygen out of other hemispheric policy matters at least for a time. It is the one issue above all others that has the potential to scramble hemispheric policy, putting bilateral relations on the road to normalization and removing an irritant in the broader hemispheric agenda. Or not. The truth is that nobody knows what will come after the Castros, but the U.S. response must be nuanced and appropriate so as to encourage, rather than discourage, the advent of true democracy on the island.
The second “C” is related: Chavez. Having been re-elected Oct. 7 to another presidential term, Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez nonetheless is battling cancer, which some say is quite serious; others give a more optimistic prognosis. Whatever the truth, it appears that Chavez is taking steps to position his supporters to continue the Bolivarian Revolution after he passes, most notably with the elevation of Nicolás Maduro to the vice presidency. Still, nobody in Venezuela appears to have the same charisma as Chavez, whose margin of victory in October was much less than in previous elections. Chavez won; Chavismo apparently took it on the chin. A power struggle is a strong possibility after Chavez passes away. Here, again, if Chavez dies, the United States will face an immediate challenge, working with others in the hemispheric including Brazil and Colombia to midwife a peaceful transition with a hoped for institution of the transparent social democratic model that has worked wonders in Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, and elsewhere in the Americas.
Click here to read the complete article direct from The Huffington Post
It is due time Peru, Ecuador and Colombia step up their game. I can not count the amount of time I’ve read that Peru, Ecuador and Colombia want to be the “Window to Latin America” for Asia…” Yet Chile remains Asia’s #1 choice.
Why? I’m not giving answers, it’s up to every Peruvian, Ecuadorian and Colombian to ask themselves… Why?
Your author says this with all the love in the world for his Latino brethren in Chile, but we must create a united Pacific Coast which can serve as Asia’s gateway to the greater region of South and Latin America. There’s no one country takes all in this equation. The Andes and Amazon divide the Pacific coast of South America from the Atlantic Coast. The time has come to work together and not create situations/ rifts where there are winners and losers.
Chile remains Australia’s popular gateway to South America
[Source] : The Australian
BRAZIL’S size and economic success over the past decade, plus its potential to continue growing into an even more significant player on the world stage, may underpin its star billing within the Latin American region, but Chile remains Australia’s most popular gateway into this emerging region.
Although coverage of Chile in Australia’s media has more recently tended to focus on the nation’s wave of student protests in support of improved access to education and of greater equality within Chilean society generally, in economic terms Chile continues to punch above its weight and to attract increased Australian investment.
The strength of the bilateral relationship was reinforced during this week’s visit by Chile’s President, Sebastian Pinera.
Mr Pinera’s two-day visit maintained a tradition that has seen every Chilean president since the nation’s return to democratic rule in 1990 visit Australia during their term in office. Apart from New Zealand, few nations boast a comparable record.
Click here to read the complete article
Image courtesy of the United Nations
Argentina hopes to strengthen economic ties with Indonesia
[Source] : The Jakarta Post
Indonesia and Argentina have agreed to establish a strategic economic partnership among ties in other sectors, in a shift away from European states currently suffering from the eurozone crisis, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa says.
“Both Indonesia and Argentina are members of the G20. Both are also nations with substantial economic growth, particularly from a regional perspective. Our common membership in many global forums will certainly help provide room for both countries to enhance cooperation,” Marty told the press after having bilateral talks with his Argentinean counterpart Hector Marcos Timerman at his office in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The two ministers also signed an agreement called “Technical Arrangement Indonesia-Argentina for South-South and Triangular Cooperation Activities”.
Indonesia is currently Argentina’s fourth biggest trading partner in Asia and the biggest in Southeast Asia. Argentina, meanwhile, is Indonesia’s second biggest trading partner in the South American region.
Click here to read the complete article
ASEAN-Argentina: Instan a diversificar intercambio comercial
[Source] : La Prensa Latina
Buenos Aires, 3 sep (PL) Un exhorto a diversificar el intercambio comercial entre la Asociación de Naciones del Sureste Asiático (ASEAN) y Argentina lanzó hoy en esta capital el director de Asia y Oceanía de la Cancillería local, Daniel Dziewezo Polski.
En Buenos Aires, Primer Encuentro Parlamentario Asean-Argentina
Argentina es el primer país de la región en crear un grupo parlamentario de amistad con la ASEAN, destacó además el funcionario al intervenir en la sesión de apertura del Primer Encuentro “Diálogo y Cooperación Sur-Sur” entre legisladores de ambas partes.
Polski instó asimismo a extender los vínculos más allá de lo comercial, a fin de “generar beneficios mutuos para las próximas décadas”, y significó tanto el trabajo que realiza el equipo argentino de antropología forense en Vietnam, como la cooperación técnica con Malasia, Indonesia y Filipinas.
Haga clic aquí para leer el artículo completo
Written in Chinese (Simplified) by Mr. Rafa Galan del Rio, a Spanish national who has been based in China for over 3.5 years. Apologies for those who don’t read Chinese characters, but there is a reason google.com/translate exists. If time and life permitted I would do my best to translate the message myself, but nonetheless this summer and falls theme of this blog is to expand beyond China – South America in English, to Asia – China America in new languages (primarily: Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Thai, and others). Contributors are more than welcome to drop me an email anytime.
Now I present Mr. Mr. Rafa Galan del Rio’s article, whom you can also follow on twitter via Perpe @_perpe_ and read his blog directly at http://www.perpe.es/
几年前开始，世界上所有经济学家都开始好奇的关注中国的经济变化。每个新公布的数据都极力论证中国的经济将在不久的将来面临“硬着陆”（Hard Landing）。然而，还是有部分经济学家不这么认为，或者至少不像其他分析家想象的那么糟。
虽然已在上海生活三年，但是仍然会为一些文化议题而感到惊讶，实际上这种情况每周都在发生。因此，我也极力保持乐观，甚至有时会想也许有什么惊喜让情况没有演变的更糟糕。
我们根本不用强调中国这个亚洲大国经济急剧放缓给其他国家产生的影响，以及对那些依靠其发展的产业所带来的巨大冲击。中国是世界第一出口大国，同时也是第二大进口国，近年来其对原材料需求增长速度惊人。可无论在何种情况下，我们也不能指望纯出口会对以后几年的国内生产总值产生巨大贡献。
国内需求消费会继续保持高位。政府可以采取相应措施，同时也有足够的能力这么做，以此来刺激跟多的住房需求。必须注意的是中国存款总额非常高。上海可能并不具有代表性，因为它的情况和国内其他地区有所不同，可是民众的消费能力，尤其是年轻人的消费能力相当惊人。
尽管政府部门进行限号，机动车号牌拍卖等手段来限制其保有量（现在一个机动车号牌大约需要6万人民币，约合7600欧元），但是机动车销售量仍然保持稳步增长。更需要强调的是，未来几年将有近亿人口进入中产阶级消费群。他们将会对更多产品和服务有更多需求，而这些人在现有收入水平他们明显是消费不起的。
另一方面，房地产泡沫破裂的恐慌虽然一直存在，但是，政府可以允许大部分农村人口迁徙至城市，但是利用户口制度同时控制这种迁徙。去年，中国的城镇人口首次超过农村人口。虽然一直有“鬼城”（空城）的传闻，笔者也亲眼见过渺无人烟的街区，但我并不认为这种房屋空置情况会持续很长时间。
在近三十年改革开放过程中，中国一直保持持续发展，而且动力强劲。年均增长率在10%左右。笔者与很多人的观点一致，就是未来几年的发展水平肯定不可能保持和从前一样。中国政府肯定不希望该情况发生，而且现在他们还有措施来避免这种情况。比如很多人期待的今年年底之前的经济刺激计划。
再过几个月，中国政府即将换届。习近平和李克强将分别担任中国国家主席和政府总理。胡和温到时候都将卸任。我们不能否认经济危机最终可能还是会到来，但可以肯定的是，即将上任的新领导班子可不想出师不利，因此新政府的经济刺激一揽子计划可能比许多分析师预计的都要来的强劲。
另一个需要考虑的问题是，对于大多数外国企业，进入中国市场和适应当地文化还是一个相当困难课题。因为他们任然面临对中国的经营策略及经济结构不了解所带来的挑战。事实上，笔者也遇到过一些这样例子，西班牙的跨国企业在中国经营几年后便不得不退出该市场。
但是，许多中国企业继续在世界其他区域进行扩张，同时也对当地的经济发展产生贡献，例如非洲就是一个例子。当然也有很多具有争议的项目，可是总体来说，这些企业完成了目标也有很好的收益。有些项目的收益方式是以支付原材料的方式体现的。很多这种企业都是国企，因此这些企业都有能力动用大量资源。一方面，这是很重要的收入来源；另一方面，也让这些企业有机会了解国外市场，同时也有利于世界的发展。
中国经济有其特殊性，如一开始提到的，某种方式上中国可能可以脱离大家都认为的巨大经济危机的恶运。否则，不幸的是很有可能：一些国家可能要品尝经济陷入衰退所带来的苦果。
It is all too common for Peruvians to ask for help in the sourcing of cheap textiles from China (shoes, toys, belts, accessories, etc). Likewise, it’s all too common for Chinese companies looking for opportunities in Latin America to diversify their export markets away 
from the faltering US and European economies. Third, every reader of China South America or news in general must be aware of the fact China’s demand for raw material resources from Latin America (particularily the commodity producing countries of South America).
However, it seems there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel and there’s more to China’s trade with countries in Latin America than meets the eye. Multiple news sources have published in the past few days of a surge of PERUVIAN MANUFACTURED EXPORTS going to China. The headline is eye grabbing… Peruvian manufactured exports to China surged 378% over the past 7 years. Obviously this is from a very LOW BASE, but nonetheless indication, or at utter least a positive sign that China is not just trading with Peru to eat up its natural resources and sell cheap textiles to.
Here’s an except from a article published by the Global Times of China yesterday, September 4th, 2012.
Peru’s manufactured exports to China have skyrocketed by 387 percent in the past seven years, the country’s Export Trade Society (ComexPeru) said Monday in a report.
The report said one of the engines driving the rapid growth is the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations that went into effect in March 2010. The FTA lifted 7,758 trade tariffs from the Peruvian-made goods entering China.
Thanks to the FTA, China became Peru’s biggest importer last year, receiving 15 percent of the South American nation’s total exports of manufactured goods which amounted to $375 million.
In 2009, shortly before the FTA went into effect, Peru’s total exports to China grew by 71 percent, and exports of non-traditional products grew by 104 percent.
Click here to read the complete article
As summarized in a sub-section of my previous post on Vietnam, I Bennett Reiss (your author and the webmaster of China South America) has decided to formally announce that China South America will officially expand it’s horizons beyond just the scope of China and South America.
As any long time or frequent readers would have already observed I on occasion stray from “China-South America News.” From now on expect more of the following:
- Articles, news and commentary involving North America, Russia, Australia and New Zealand (Oceania) because of their respective connection and roles in the greater Pacific Region (APEC).
- From Europe, Spain will likely have quite a presence on this site. Due to its long term influence in the region, FDI, and from the influx of Spaniards arriving in the region seeking opportunities as Spain’s economy falters.
- Lastly, expects posts from time to tome on any news CSA believes is appropriate for the site involving South-South Cooperation – such as the increasing connections Brazil, China and India’s have with Africa, India-Latin America, ASEAN – Latin Ameirca, etc.
- MicroFinance News
[Source] Written by Bennett A. Reiss Iberico
South Central Vietnam
From the few days I’ve been traveling the Vietnamese countryside (in large part to investigate their agricultural sector), I’ve thus far come to believe Vietnam can grow to become an agricultural power house with the potential similar to many countries in South America. In today’s world of 7+ billion people, this untapped agro-potential is invaluable. Especially in the context of the emergence of a 2nd world food crisis within the short span of 5 years (the first being back in 2008).
Vietnam’s agricultural potential, if nurtured in a sustainable and efficient manner could conceivably catalyze Vietnam into becoming a major agricultural center, capable of feeding its own people and exporting food to countries around the world whose geographic limitations inhibit them from doing so themselves.
Despite this website (blog)’s original purpose which was to focus on China and South America, it’s become apparently obvious doing so is nearly impossible without including the rest of Asia (specifically South East Asia), and the rest of Latin America (from Panama up to Mexico and the Caribbean). Also my inherent interest and passion for MicroFinance, which frequent readers probably are aware of.
China South America, from this point forward has officially expanded it’s own horizons and will now include the Pan-Asia and Latin American regions. Along with the following:
- At times North America, Russia, Australia and New Zealand (Oceania) because of their respective connection and roles in the greater Pacific Region and APEC.
- From Europe, Spain will likely have quite a presence on this site due to its long term influence in the region, FDI, and because of the influx of Spaniards arriving in the region seeking opportunities as Spain’s economy falters.
- Lastly, expect posts from time to tome on any news CSA believes is appropriate for the site involving South-South Cooperation – such as the increasing connections the countries of Brazil, China and India’s have with Africa, India-Latin America, ASEAN – Latin Ameirca, etc.
To conclude, I hope you enjoy my rare, personal on the ground experiences of the places I travel in the ASIA – LATIN AMERICA REGION. I personally think Vietnam is a country worthy to keep tabs on, and to visit of course. Vietnam is a country, which for the first time in living memory of its people that a generation is going to be able to grow up without having to suffer and fight a war. Come visit this beautiful country, get to know its people, history, and expand your horizons.
To all regular readers please be patient. Normal news flows will return once I’m back in Ho Chi Mihn City (Saigon).
Shrimp farms, helping to feed global (and local) demand for sea food.
Ride paddies. Vietnam is the world’s 2nd largest exporter of rice after Thailand.
Do you like chocolate? Vietnam is alao a growing powerhouse in Cacao production.
We do indeed live in an interconnected world. Rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis), originally from the Amazon in South America now flourish throughout SE Asia. They also were a major reason the Japanese invaded Vietnam during WWII
Now it’s time to find me some coffee plantations, as Vietnam is also the #2 exporter of coffee beans after Brazil (yes they even top Colombia)
Cruising the South-Central Vietnamese countryside on motorcycle. After about 20 minutes of riding solo and realizing I’d probably kill myself over the course of the next 48 hours I opted to hop on the back seat of a local Vietnamese driver.
Tomorrow my search of the Vietnamese South-Central countryside continues and i’ll find those coffee bean plantations even if it takes me all day!
Your humble author decided a few weeks ago it was due time to expand his horizons of Asia. Having spent many years living/ working/ studying in China, traveling back and forth from China on business, and traveling to Japan on two occasions I was beginning to feel my perspective of Asia had become very close minded and North-East Asian focused (China, Japan, Korea). So it was due time to leave my comfort bubble of China where I speak the language and can easily navigate life, for something totally new.
I have found such in Vietnam and could not be more thrilled. Very excited to explore this country for a few days, have a meeting or two with potential sweet rice exporters (a produce Peru for some reason I’ve yet to find out imports from Vietnam), and finally synthasize what I see into the classic Economic/ Political/ Financial analysis CSA provides the interwebs.
Below i’ve shared a few pictures I took with my cell phone during my first 4 hours in Vietnam.
Some new fruits that I have never seen in my life. Varieties I have never even seen or heard exist in the Peruvian or Brazilian Amazon. Very excited to give them a try, find out their prices, where they come from in Vietnam/ SE Asia, and what their respective nutritional values are.
Saigon (HCMC) Streets dazzle the senses… and use the all too common alphabet used by Western Languages. Strange after spending years learning how to read Chinese Characters.
It’s always a privileged to be able to capture moments like this.
Unfortunately no trip to a developing country is complete without the darker realities of life, especially prevalent in countries in the transition of seeing their economic and political systems mature.
