The role of HK companies in Sino-Latin American relations

The development of Sino-Latin American relations, especially in the areas of commerce and trade, has been both diplomatically and strategically important to China in recent years. As Latin America is often referred to as being in the "backyard" of the United States, it is also of great geo-political importance for China as it could act as a card in the hole to check on and to contain US ambitions in the long term. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role that Hong Kong business Tycoon: Li Ka-shing played in Latin America countries and to analyze its potential contribution and influence towards the development of Sino-Latin American relations. Although Sino-Latin American relations is one of the focal points of Chinese diplomacy in recent years, Beijing is still facing several "blind spots" in the region by which Hong Kong may, due to its unique position, act as Beijing's "White Glove". Hong Kong multi-business Tycoon Li Ka-shing with his flagship enterprise Hutchison Whampoa Limited (Hutchison) and subsidiary investments in Latin America became especially worthy of attention because the role Li and Hutchison played will allow Beijing to by-pass those "blind spots". Copyright © 2012 AAG.