China in South Asia and South America: Connections, Intersections and Similarities

China’s expanding role in South Asia and South America has become a central theme in debates on the global political economy. This paper asks whether China applies a uniform strategy in both regions or adjusts its approach to local contexts. In South Asia, large infrastructure projects and port development signal an emphasis on connectivity and strategic access. In South America, major investments in rail, energy and agriculture reveal similar ambitions, particularly in Brazil and Argentina.
The analysis shows that shared features do not produce uniform outcomes. In South Asia, public debate often centres on sovereignty, debt management and maritime security. In South America, environmental standards, commodity dependence and the terms of development finance receive greater scrutiny. Multilateral engagement through BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the China CELAC Forum supplies a common diplomatic framework, yet national responses differ according to domestic politics and regulatory capacity. By comparing the two regions, the paper demonstrates that China’s outreach combines stable, recurring methods with adjustments to local conditions, which together shape regional trajectories and contribute to wider shifts in global order.

Foreign investments, China; Political economy, Latin America, Regional power, South South cooperation, Network governance

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