China struck several joint project deals with El Salvador, further establishing Beijing's political and economic influence in the Latin American region.
China's growing economic and political influence continues to spread westward, getting closer and closer to America's borders as the country recently struck a deal with El Salvador which would benefit the Latin American nation $150 million worth of aid for its developmental projects, Salvadoran President Salvador Sanchez Ceren confirmed on Wednesday.
According to Reuters, President Ceren has just returned from his state visit to China. This would be the first ever since the two countries established diplomatic ties in August this year, a move which further deepened China's friendship with the Latin American region and in doing so sends a growing concern to the United States.
In a press statement released via a local television, the Salvadoran head of state revealed that he met with his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping during his visit where they both agreed on 13 joint projects. The details of which weren't disclosed.
On top of this, the Xi Jinping administration will be sending over three thousand tons of rice as support to the Salvadorans who recently suffered from this year's drought and flooding.
Ceren referred to the meeting as a historic one, such that the establishment of China-El Salvador diplomatic relations is part of his government's foreign policy.
The said funds, as well as the target ground-breaking date of the joint projects, have yet to be confirmed.
Changing Alliances
As further indicated by the news agency, El Salvador's decision to get into China's side comes shortly after its breakup with Taiwan. San Salvador won't be the first to do so as neighboring countries such as the Dominican Republic and Panama had done so earlier which drew the ire of Washington, prompting the latter to recall its ambassadors from each of the respective countries.
Washington has earlier talked of China's strategy to set roots in Central America and the rest of the Latin American region by providing incentives that, according to them, cultivate economic dependence but not necessarily economic partnership.
Making Inroads Westward
El Salvador won't be the only beneficiary country to receive this kind of assistance from the world's second-largest economy.
Just recently, Business Times reported that Chile has announced its participation to Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative which was manifested with the signing of several memoranda of agreement that are in line with the country's global infrastructure initiative.
This is part of Santiago's continued efforts to make the country of 18 million people become more attractive for foreign investors.
