Thread by @BrazilBrian

Our new issue is about the China-Latin America relationship: Deep, sophisticated and - increasingly - under some strain.

We spent 3 months reporting & researching - and found some surprising things (long thread, bring a sandwich) americasquarterly.org/content/china-…

OVERVIEW: The 3 capitals furthest from Beijing are Santiago (11,836 miles), Montevideo (11,895) and Buenos Aires (11,964).

If you consider that distance - & relative lack of cultural ties - Chinese expansion in LatAm in last 20 years is truly astonishing americasquarterly.org/content/china-…

It's not just commodities. Here are 10 Chinese brands Latin Americans love - from phones to SUVs, drones and rental bikes by @FernandaUriegas americasquarterly.org/content/chines…

China is building soft power in LatAm through its Confucius Institutes, like this one we visited in La Plata, Argentina (some say they're propaganda tools - decide for yourself) americasquarterly.org/content/soft-p…

But, but, but - The China-LatAm relationship *has* cooled somewhat in recent years. Trade growth has slowed, investment has seesawed.

This reflects growing "issues" on both sides americasquarterly.org/content/chinas…

The backlash against Beijing is real.

Best example: @jairbolsonaro accused China of "trying to buy Brazil." Once he became president, his tone softened - but huge debate in his govt still ongoing. @onLatinAmerica with our cover story, from Brasilia americasquarterly.org/content/china-…

We analyzed how 9 presidents around Latin America are dealing with Beijing - from euphoria to growing skepticism. Amazing research here from @emiliesweigart americasquarterly.org/content/how-go…

This was the biggest surprise to me: Beijing itself has become more wary of Latin America's distance, difficult business environment & slowing economies. @MyersMargaret explains in detail here americasquarterly.org/content/how-be…

If the Trump administration really wants to counter Beijing's influence in Latin America, it should change the way it trades with - and talks about - the region. Great piece here by my colleague @ericfarns americasquarterly.org/content/washin…

China can still - believe it or not - play a positive role in Venezuela. @fmonaldi explains how americasquarterly.org/content/how-ch…

OK, OK, it's not all politics.

We profiled 5 Latin Americans who have - against all odds - succeeded in China. A chef, a museum curator, and a Colombian woman who sang before an audience of 750 million people! Here: americasquarterly.org/content/meet-l…

China has actually been present in Latin America - and trading - for centuries. Here's the surprising story of how "Mexico City already had a Chinatown as early as the 1600s, thanks to the Manila galleon or nao de China" americasquarterly.org/content/long-v…

Believe it or not, there's more, but I don't want to break Twitter.
Here's the full TOC: americasquarterly.org/content/china-…

Read us in print!! It's better! sfsdata.com/americasquarte…

Finally, my gratitude to the entire @AmerQuarterly team for what I think is our best and deepest issue yet. @ctornaghi was unbelievable pulling all this together. @donaldpartyka is a creative genius. @BenPaulRussell @BenMiller_Tweet @robertosimon @emiliesweigart @BrenOBoyle ...

@sarahdbons @FernandaUriegas and Nikita who for some reason I can't find on Twitter today. And all our authors, wow. THANKS TO ALL.