Time: Friday 9 September 2022, 13:00–16:30

Place: Clingendael Institute, Clingendael 7, 2597 VH The Hague

Organiser: Centre for Latin American Research and Documentation, CEDLA-UvA
 

Far away from the new Cold War on European soil, Latin American and Caribbean countries are faced with crucial decisions. How do they shape the future of their societies, and importantly, which external actors do they trust to help them? For the region the challenge is more complex than a simple contrast between Chinese economic power and US and European values. This complexity is visible on both sides of the equation. On the one hand, the Chinese economic involvement does not necessarily or consistently threaten democratic values in the region and, on the other, US (and European) involvement does not necessarily always bring respect for human rights and democracy.  

 

What is the nature of the increasing presence of China in the LAC region, and what are the implications for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the EU and also the US? This question is central to the research project that CEDLA has done for the China Knowledge Network (funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence). In three reports, to be published in the week before the event, these key dimensions are scrutinized:  
 

1. China’s economic and political role in Latin America  

2. China’s economic and political role in the Caribbean and Central America 

3. China's engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean: Geopolitical challenges and the role of the EU 

 

On 9 September we will discuss important findings and policy recommendations with scholars, policy-makers and civil society, moderated by journalist Edwin Koopman. Please register here. For questions: secretariat@cedla.nl.  

 

13:00 – 13:30 Arrival with coffee and tea 

 

13:30 – 13:45 Introduction & Presentation 

Yvette van Eechoud, Min. of Foreign Affairs 

Michiel Baud, CEDLA-UvA 
 

13:45 – 14:30 Roundtable 1: China in the Caribbean Basin – Between Risk and Opportunity for the KNL (Report 2) 

Jorien Wuite, Member of Parliament, D66 

Rubén González-Vicente, Univ. of Birmingham 

Gert Oostindie, Univ. Leiden & KITLV 

Heleen Schrooyen, NIMD 
 

14:30 – 14:50 Q&A 

 

14:50 – 15:15   Coffee & tea break 

 

15:15 – 16:00 Roundtable 2: How can Dutch & EU policies address China’s growing influence in LAC? (Reports 1 & 3) 

Frans-Paul van der Putten, CKN Clingendael 
Maurice van Beers, CNV Internationaal 

Barbara Hogenboom, CEDLA-UvA 
 

16:00 - 16:30 Q&A  

and closing words 

Marc Moquette, Min. of Foreign Affairs 
 

16:30 Drinks 

 

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