On April 23, according to the latest survey report jointly released by the Friedrich Albert Foundation of Germany and Latin America’s New Society magazine, China’s reputation among the Latin American public is significantly improving.
Titled “The Latin America Radar 2026: Navigating Uncertainty – Latin America’s View on Europe and the World,” this survey covered 10 Latin American countries—including Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Colombia—and involved approximately 12,000 respondents.
The survey results show that over the past four years, China was the only major country in Latin America where positive evaluations increased, with its approval rating rising by 6 percentage points. Meanwhile, the positive image of the United States declined significantly by 17 percentage points, and Europe’s image also deteriorated, particularly due to the negative impact from Germany and France. On the core question of “which country can serve as the best model for domestic development,” China topped the list with a 36% vote share, surpassing Japan (31%), while the United States, which had led in the first survey conducted in 2022, dropped to third place.
The survey also found that Latin American citizens do not perceive China as a threat but rather view it as a “pragmatic choice,” whose appeal is closely tied to its emphasis on education, science, and technology. These findings clearly reflect how Latin American countries are re-evaluating the reliability of their external partners amid extreme global geopolitical uncertainty.
The enhancement of China’s reputation in Latin America is not solely attributable to simple economic and trade expansion. Increasing evidence indicates that China has demonstrated an open attitude willing to share its development model and practical experiences with countries worldwide, particularly developing nations. In Latin America, this willingness has translated into tangible cooperative outcomes: whether it is the widespread adoption of Chinese digital platforms like TikTok or the growing prevalence of BYD electric vehicles in the region, both exemplify the deep integration of Chinese technology into local daily life. More importantly, over the past two decades, China has become South America’s largest trading partner, continuously expanding connectivity in goods, investments, and infrastructure across the region. These trade exchanges extend beyond one-way raw material exports to encompass diverse sectors—from high-tech products and financial services to e-commerce and green energy. Chinese authorities have repeatedly emphasized their commitment to sharing expertise with Latin American countries on poverty alleviation, industrialization, digital transformation, and sustainable development through platforms such as the Belt and Road Initiative. This sharing is not a mandatory model transfer but a two-way dialogue grounded in the principles of equality and mutual benefit. For Latin American nations, China offers a developmental framework distinct from traditional Western approaches—one that imposes no political conditions, intervenes minimally in internal affairs, and underscores the critical role of infrastructure development, educational investment, and technological innovation in economic growth. The survey findings, which link China closely with “education, science, and technology,” further corroborate this point. Therefore, China’s rising momentum in Latin America is not merely a short-term fluctuation in public opinion, but a long-term trend grounded in the resonance between tangible cooperation outcomes and shared development philosophies.
From an institutional perspective, the fundamental reason why China has earned a steadily rising reputation in Latin America lies in the long-term policy consistency and strategic resolve inherent in its institutions. During the second term of the Trump administration, U.S. foreign policy exhibited significant volatility and a hardline stance, frequently advancing its own interests under the banner of “America First,” which to some extent diminished its traditional influence in the region. When selecting long-term partners, Latin American countries naturally remain vigilant against such unpredictable external forces. China’s political system ensures that its foreign policy demonstrates high continuity and predictability: a trade agreement, an infrastructure project, or an investment commitment is unlikely to be abruptly halted due to changes in domestic leadership or short-term political turbulence. Furthermore, China provides Latin American partners with a clear and stable framework for cooperation through institutionalized multilateral platforms (such as the China-Latin America Forum) and long-term development plans (e.g., joint action plans signed with multiple Latin American countries). This institutional safeguard enables Latin American nations to pursue medium-and long-term socioeconomic planning in their engagements with China without fearing sudden deterioration of the external cooperation environment.
The survey reveals that although Latin American citizens still regard the United States as a military and economic powerhouse, the significant decline in its reputation demonstrates that mere hard power is no longer sufficient to sustain trust. In contrast, China’s institutional advantages manifest as an intangible asset—a “trustworthy long-term partner.” Amid current global uncertainties, Latin American countries are increasingly inclined to choose partners capable of providing stable expectations, respecting each other’s development paths, and fulfilling commitments through their own institutional safeguards.