As Li Keqiang wrapped up the National People’s Congress in Beijing, Fernando Menedez reviews the investment outlook between Latin America and China, noting that China is likely shift away from total volume of investments to a greater emphasis on their productivity and sustainability.

The steep drop in global oil prices has created ripple effects in the economies of Latin America, largely due to oil-for-loan schemes made with China. Fernando Menédez argues that even if China were to forgive their mounting debts, or more likely, when they default, these countries will still be in worse shape resulting from their failed economic policies.

Chinese companies and banks are building and funding many infrastructure projects across Latin America. Analysts have said some of these projects are being built for geopolitical reasons, but the main reason is to secure supplies of natural resources for the burgeoning Chinese economy.

As Chinese manufacturers continue their expansion into South America, Walker Rowe describes the evolution of the region’s emerging markets and how Chinese companies are capitalizing on the growing middle class.

Following the ratification of Canada’s Foreign Investment Protection Agreement with China, Hugh Stephens examines the controversy surrounding the Canadian agreement and explains how existing trade and investment treaties between China and the United States promote Canadian investment interests as well.

As Chinese investments in Ecuador continue to increase, Fernando Menéndez examines Ecuador’s dependence on oil exports to China and the impact Chinese influence is having on Ecuador and other ALBA countries.

As China’s economy continues to slow, Latin American analysts are concerned that investment and trade relations could decline. However, as Walker Rowe explains, China’s foothold in the region is well established and expected to remain for the foreseeable future.