The China-Latin America relationship took off in the mid-2000s under the banner of South-South Cooperation. In 2014, President Xi Jinping said that China-Latin America cooperation would be guided by an Inclusive and Sustainable Cooperation Plan. Last week, Ecuador and China agreed to upgrade their relationship to that of a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership‘. But what are the practical implications of this for the financial and energy sectors in Ecuador?...

Ecuador needs to re-invent its relationship with China. In recent years, China has taken impressive steps towards “greening” its economy to and promoting renewable energy. The latest green policies of the Chinese banking system, including a commitment to close coal production plants and provide state support to establish the largest solar panel factory in the world are just a few examples of China’s capabilities. That is the China Ecuador needs in order to establish a truly meaningful Comprehensive Strategic Partnership...