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Fan Chen

China has promised to send more aid to Cuba and deepen cooperation with Uruguay as it reaches out to its Latin American allies to fend off renewed American interest in the region.
Cuba became the second Latin American country to send a high-ranking official to China this week. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla’s arrival in Beijing follows that of Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi, the first regional leader to travel to China since the US assault on Venezuela in early January.
Beijing’s attempt to court top Latin American officials stands in stark contrast to its tougher position on Panama, where it is embroiled in a dispute over two strategic ports.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Rodriguez on Thursday that Beijing would continue to provide Havana with support “within its capacity”.
“China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and security, opposes unreasonable external interference, and rejects the deprivation of the Cuban people’s right to survival and development,” Wang was quoted by the Chinese foreign ministry as saying.
“We are willing to continue providing support and assistance within our capacity, and further consolidate and develop the friendly relations between our two countries.”
In a social media post, Rodriguez said the meeting with Wang was “fruitful”, and they had reaffirmed the “special and strategic nature of the historical ties between our two socialist nations”.


Cuba is grappling with an energy crisis following the abrupt halt in oil and fuel shipments from Venezuela, which has long been its most important energy partner.
The conditions worsened after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose extra tariffs on any country selling oil to Cuba, signing an executive order last week that labelled the Cuban government as an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to the United States.
The result is massive power outages on the island, paralysing essential services such as water supplies, refrigeration and hospital care.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned on Wednesday of a humanitarian “collapse” if the shortages continued.
China has promised to send a total of 30,000 tonnes of rice to Cuba. The first two shipments of the emergency aid have arrived, according to state news agency Xinhua.


The Venezuelan shipments to Cuba have stopped in the aftermath of the US’ abduction last month of former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and the takeover of Caracas’ oil industry, its economic engine.
The intervention reflects Washington’s revived interest in Latin America, including its determination to gain control of the Panama Canal, infrastructure that the White House claims is “operated by China”.
Last week, Panama’s Supreme Court ruled that a concession held by a subsidiary of Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison Holdings in the canal was unconstitutional.
The ruling has infuriated Beijing, with its Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office condemning the court’s decision as “utterly absurd” and warning that Panama would “pay a heavy price, both politically and economically”.
In a social media post on Thursday, Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino “firmly rejected” the statement from the Hong Kong authorities, saying the decision fell squarely within Panama’s constitutional and legal framework.
In retaliation, China directed its state-owned enterprises to suspend negotiations on new projects in Panama, a move that threatens billions of dollars in potential investment, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Beijing has also asked shipping firms to divert cargo through other ports where feasible without incurring substantial extra costs. It is also tightening customs checks on Panamanian imports, including bananas and coffee, according to Bloomberg.
To push back against what it sees as undue American influence, Beijing is shoring up ties with its partners in the region.
Orsi started a seven-day state visit to China on Sunday, heading a delegation of 150 people, including business leaders and government officials.
The two countries vowed to deepen their strategic partnership and signed a dozen cooperation agreements spanning science, technology, trade and mineral resources, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement.
In a meeting with Orsi, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned against “unilateral bullying” and called on Uruguay to promote an “equal and orderly multipolar world”.


Niu Haibin, director of the Centre for Latin American Studies at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, said the visits showed that Uruguay and Cuba remained committed to independent foreign policies, undeterred by US pressure.
“These reflect a broader trend across the western hemisphere: nations are increasingly unwilling to let their destinies be confined solely to this region. Instead, they are seeking broader horizons for growth and more diverse partnerships to bolster their sovereignty and development rights,” Niu said.
He said that while China’s Latin America policy remained consistent, the main challenge came from third parties such as the US, as was the case with Panama.
“I believe China understands that Panama is under immense external pressure. However, China cannot accept its legitimate interests being used as a bargaining chip or sacrificed because of that pressure. This is what China opposes,” Niu said.


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China-Latin America relations

China keeps Cuba and Uruguay in the fold, puts Panama out in the cold

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla (left) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirm their countries’ ties in Beijing on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua

Xi to meet Uruguay’s Orsi in first Latin America-China visit since US capture of Maduro

Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during a state visit to Beijing next month. Photo: EPA

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil’s views were in contrast to those of Orsi after the US captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier this month. Photo: Xinhua

Panama president defends judiciary after China slams canal port concession ruling

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino emphasised Panama’s commitment to the rule of law and separation of powers after the canal port concession ruling. Photo: AFP

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported the canal port concession ruling. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

China sends emergency food aid to Cuba as US sanctions worsen shortages

Workers in Havana, Cuba stack donated rice that arrived from China on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

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Military personnel and civilians carry a large Cuban flag during a march outside the US Embassy in Havana on Friday to protest against the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and the killing of Cuban soldiers during the attack. Photo: Reuters

1 month after Maduro abduction, Venezuela moves to reassure China its investments are safe

Former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are brought to the United States following an American military raid on their compound in Caracas on January 3. Photo: TNS

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Donald Trump has vowed to regain control of the canal for the US and hit out at “Chinese control”. Photo: Reuters

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Beijing promises more aid to struggling Havana and cooperation with Montevideo as Washington looks to extend its reach in Latin America


Beijing promises more aid to struggling Havana and cooperation with Montevideo as Washington looks to extend its reach in Latin America.


China keeps Cuba and Uruguay in the fold, puts Panama out in the cold

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Beijing promises more aid to struggling Havana and cooperation with Montevideo as Washington looks to extend its reach in Latin America

Beijing promises more aid to struggling Havana and cooperation with Montevideo as Washington looks to extend its reach in Latin America