Keynote Lecture | Sergio Cesarín

Argentine researcher Sergio Cesarín delivered the keynote address titled “China in the Southern Cone: Costs and Benefits of Ambivalent Responses – The Argentine Case”, as part of the China – Latin America: Perspectives and Debates International Forum.

Cesarín opened his presentation with a reflection on Latin American thought in China. He highlighted that Latin America was once a generator of ideas with global reach, and that these intellectual contributions still resonate in Chinese academic and political discourse. He emphasized that the relationship between the two regions is not solely economic, but also shaped by ideological and developmental exchanges.

Focusing on Argentina, Cesarín argued that ideas inspired by the Chinese experience—particularly state-led rural policies and strong public sector involvement in development—have found traction in Latin America. In Argentina, specific governments have embraced a vision aligned with what he described as a “China of change.”

The talk also explored how such influences have evolved alongside transformations in Latin American urban and social landscapes. While debates over the role of the state continue in Latin America, in China state presence is assumed and embedded in a long-term strategic vision articulated through the Communist Party.

Cesarín warned that in recent years, several Latin American countries have adopted an uncritical stance toward China, avoiding discussions on issues such as democracy and human rights. In this context, he called for a more strategic and reflective regional approach to China’s growing influence.

He concluded by situating this ambivalence within a broader global realignment, marked by the declining influence of Europe and the United States. This shift, he argued, created space for China’s rise in the region. While he acknowledged the developmental potential of this relationship, he also cautioned against the risks of a narrative that seeks to shape and monitor regional thinking.

Speaker:

Sergio Cesarín
Institute of the Foreign Service of the Nation and the National University of Tres de Febrero
Country: Argentina
Presentation: China in the Southern Cone: Costs and Benefits of Ambivalent Responses – The Argentine Case