BPC/PUC-Rio organizes the workshop “Emerging Patterns in China–Latin America Relations: Moving Beyond the Commodity Consensus?”

December 17, 2025, the BRICS Policy Center (PUC-Rio) hosted the workshop “Emerging Patterns in China–Latin America Relations: Moving Beyond the Commodity Consensus?”, bringing together researchers from Brazil, China, and Latin America.

The workshop was part of the activities of the bi-institutional project “Relations between China and Latin America: investments, environment, and agriculture,” funded by FAPERJ and coordinated by the BRICS Policy Center/PUC-Rio in partnership with CPDA/UFRRJ.

Throughout the day, the event was structured into two thematic sessions. The first was dedicated to the debate on agro-industrial chains, sustainability, consumption patterns, and innovation, with a focus on Brazil–China relations. Zhang Min, Siyuan Xu, Fabiano Escher, Tomas Mefano, Julia Rensi, Wez Junior, John Wilkinson, Ana Luiza Gama, and Maria Haro Sly participated in this session.

The second session addressed new trends in Chinese investments in Latin America, exploring topics such as infrastructure, energy transition, investment governance, and geopolitical disputes. Presentations were given by Enrique Dussel Peters, Ruben Laufer, Isabela Nogueira, Celio Hiratuka, Antonio Pagan, Ana Garcia, Fernando Romero and Maria Elena Rodriguez.

One of the workshop’s distinguishing features was the methodology of mutual comments among participants, which stimulated critical dialogue, exchange between different academic traditions, and collective deepening of discussions. The meeting took place in a hybrid format, expanding international participation.

The workshop ended with a general debate and the referral of a special dossier for an academic journal, reinforcing the commitment to the collective production of knowledge and the advancement of a critical agenda on China, development, and Latin America.