Chile–People's Republic of China relations

People's Republic of China relations– Chile relations

Map indicating locations of People's Republic of China and Chile
China	Chile

People's Republic of China – Chile relations officially began in 15 December 1970. ^[1]

History

The relations between the People's Republic of China and Chile began in 15 December 1970, shortly following the election of Salvador Allende, and Chile became the first South American country to recognized the mainland Chinese government.^[2][3] Following the 1973 Chilean coup d'état which saw the overthrow of the Allende government, China was the only Communist country not to have severed ties with Augusto Pinochet's new regime, due to the latter's continued endorsement of the One China Policy.^[4] As a result, China chose not to recall its ambassador in Chile, while replacing the Allende appointed ambassador Armando Uribe with a Pinochet appointed one.

The continued relationship was built on pragmatism and non-interference.^[4] China supported Chile's claim of sovereignty over Antarctic, and in turn, Chile allowed the Chinese to build the Great Wall research station inside Chile's territorial claims. There was also an attempt at a joint venture to produce weapons between Norinco and FAMAE, aimed at reducing Chile's military dependence on the United States.^[4]

Following the end of the Cold War and fall of the Pinochet regime in 1990, bilateral relations continued, with the new Chilean government pursuing a policy of free trade, and supported China's entrance into the World Trade Organization.^[4]

Bilateral relations

Chile is one of the first Latin American countries which began trade and economic exchanges with China after the Chinese civil war.^[1] Bilateral trade between the two countries began as early as 1961 when China established the Commercial News Office of Chinese Import and Export Corporation. In 1965 was re-established as the Commercial Office of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.^[1]

Since the creation of diplomatic relations in 1970, bilateral economic relations have developed considerably. Chile became China's third largest Latin American trading partner behind Brazil and Mexico. Bilateral trade volume set a record at $2.565 billion in 2002.^[1]

Chinese exports to Chile is primary in textiles, clothing, ceramics, chemicals and medicine, tools and consumer electronics.^[1]

Chilean exports to China are mainly in copper^[5], niter, pulp, paper, fish meal and timber. This has also expanded to red wine, marine alga, potassium sulphate and fruit produce.^[1][6]

Chile and China has signed a Free Trade Agreement in 2006.^[7]

In 2009, bilateral trade reached US $17.4 billion. Chilean export amounted to 23 percent of Chile's total exports.^[8]

See also

• Foreign relations
• Foreign policy

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f} China-Chile Relations
2. ^ http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/xw/t678591.htm
3. ^ http://chileabroad.gov.cl/china/en/relacion-bilateral/comercio-relaciones-bilaterales/
4. ^ ^{a b c d} https://www6.miami.edu/hemispheric-policy/Final_Draft_Formatted-Navia.pdf
5. ^ http://en.mercopress.com/2010/06/25/in-seven-years-asia-became-chile-s-main-trade-partner-absorbs-48-of-exports
6. ^ http://www.fruitnet.com/content.aspx?cid=8197&ttid=17
7. ^ http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90778/90861/6795202.html
8. ^ http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2010-08/16/content_11158318.htm

External links

• Chinese Embassy in Chile (Chinese) (Spanish)
• Chilean Embassy in Beijing, China (Spanish) (English)
• Chile and China: Building Relations Beyond Trade? (English)