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China Opens $3.5B Megaport in Peru
Above: China's Pres. Xi Jinping (L) and Peru's Pres. Dina Boluarte applaud during the virtual inauguration ceremony of the Chancay "megaport" in the small town of Chancay at the government palace in Lima, Peru, on Nov. 14, 2024. Image copyright: Ernesto Benavides/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
While visiting Peru for the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Forum (APEC) this week, Chinese Pres. Xi Jinping and Peruvian Pres. Dina Boluarte attended the opening of China's $3.5B Chancay Port on the country's coast.
60% of the port is owned by Chinese company COSCO Shipping with the rest owned by Peruvian mining company Volcan. Located 80 km (50 miles) north of the capital Lima, it stands at 992 hectares (2.45K acres) large with a maximum depth of 17.8 meters (58 feet).
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
The Chancay Port culminates a decade-long relationship between China and Peru, throughout which Beijing has been Lima's number one trading partner. Both countries believe in strengthening sustainable infrastructure, agriculture, and supply chains, as well as making advancements in digital technology and artificial intelligence. This is what the Belt and Road Initiative is all about: bringing countries together through mutual economic prosperity.
Anti-China narrative
While no one can ignore the success China has had in Latin America, that doesn't mean the West, led by the US, should let it continue unchecked. China is using its positive talk about economic prosperity as a trojan horse to persuade Latin American nations to stop supporting Taiwan. Beijing will also pursue these geopolitical goals whether it benefits authoritarians or not. The West must reclaim its spot as Latin America's greatest ally before it's too late.