China/Europe and the Changing Global Order Seminar Series: "Global China" in South America: Infrastructure, Urbanization, and The Postcolonial Question

In collaboration with York University and CHERN network, The Open University presents a monthly webinar series featuring graduate students and early career scholars.

Come along to our seminar on Thursday 12 October from 12:30 to 14:00 (GMT) and hear Dr Simone Vegliò from Malmö University, speak on: "Global China" in South America: Infrastructure, Urbanization, and The Postcolonial Question.

For more information and to sign up to attend this FREE online event, email REDEFINE team.

Title:

"Global China" in South America: Infrastructure, Urbanization, and The Postcolonial Question

Abstract:

This talk proposes an exploration of some crucial aspects of China's presence in South America. In particular, the discussion focuses on themes concerning infrastructure and urbanization, delving into some of the main operations that have involved the Asian actor in the area. Within this context, the talk scrutinizes how to understand Latin American postcolonialism in light of the region's relationship with China. Over the past two decades, as part of China's dramatic economic rise in Latin America, there has been a proliferation of Chinese investments and loans that have financed the implementation or restructuring of infrastructure of connection and transportation across Latin America. Thus far, China has established bilateral partnerships with more than 20 Latin American countries as part of the expansion of its Belt and Road Initiative in the region. Such a geo-economic and geopolitical transformation is impacting Latin America's urban centres in multiple ways. By focusing on Latin America's Southern Cone, the discussion unpacks some overriding elements and issues that are defining the action of "Global China" in the region. Specifically, by using infrastructure and urbanization as strategical lenses, the presentation debates the "postcolonial question" in the reconfiguration of China–Latin America relations.