Q&A
Matt Ferchen
{
"authors": [
"Matt Ferchen"
],
"type": "legacyinthemedia",
"centerAffiliationAll": "",
"centers": [
"Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
"Carnegie China"
],
"collections": [
"China and the Developing World",
"China’s Foreign Relations"
],
"englishNewsletterAll": "",
"nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
"primaryCenter": "Carnegie China",
"programAffiliation": "",
"programs": [],
"projects": [],
"regions": [
"North America",
"South America",
"East Asia",
"China"
],
"topics": [
"Economy"
]
}
Source: Getty
In The Media
Whither Venezuela After Chavez?
China’s business and trade links to Venezuela play a far more prominent role in shaping and defining the bilateral relationship than political or diplomatic ties.
By Matt Ferchen
Published on Mar 7, 2013
Source: Voice of Russia
Speaking to Voice of Russia, Carnegie’s Matt Ferchen explained China’s interests in Venezuela and how Chinese-Venezuelan ties will be affected after the death of Hugo Chavez. While Chinese business and political leaders are certainly anxious about the political situation that may emerge and the direction that the new leadership might take the country, the level of Chinese investment in Venezuela means that China would be happy with any Venezuelan leader who continues to encourage China’s investment and is a reliable and predictable partner, Ferchen said.
Although China and Venezuela have close business and trade ties, foreign policy and political relations are marginal, Ferchen added. Venezuela hopes that closer political ties and ideological support from China would follow closer business ties were not met. Instead, asserted Ferchen, Chinese State Owned Enterprises and banks played a far bigger role in forging the bilateral relationship, often acting independently of the government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
About the Author
Matt Ferchen
Former Nonresident Scholar, Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy
Ferchen specializes in China’s political-economic relations with emerging economies. At the Carnegie–Tsinghua Center for Global Policy, he ran a program on China’s economic and political relations with the developing world, including Latin America.
- How China Is Reshaping International Development
- Why Unsustainable Chinese Infrastructure Deals Are a Two-Way StreetArticle
Matt Ferchen, Anarkalee Perera
Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- Trump Can Play Kingmaker in Latin America. He Can’t Build Lasting Influence.Commentary
In Colombia and elsewhere in the region, the United States is trying to shape election outcomes—but at what cost?
Oliver Stuenkel, Adrian Feinberg
- President Lee Jae Myung: A Year in PowerCommentary
President Lee marked his first year in office after one of the most tumultuous periods in South Korean politics. Though Lee has enjoyed a high approval rating, a large majority in the National Assembly, and foreign policy victories, Lee and his party’s political fortunes depend on generating economic growth, learning the right lessons from the recent local elections, and managing contentious factional strife within his political base.
Chung Min Lee
- China Is Building New Financial Architecture for Clean Energy Tech. It May Come with Conditions.Article
China’s central bank swap lines could help developing world leaders drive their energy transition—if they harness conditionality to protect their interests.
Ebipere K. Clark
- From Trade Dependence to Geopolitical Leverage: The EU in an Era of Weaponized InterdependencePaper
As geopolitical rivalry weaponizes global supply chains, the EU’s true vulnerability lies in emerging-risk imports. For these goods, suppliers are growing more concentrated, substitution more difficult, and political risk is looming.
Sinan Ülgen
- Next Steps Toward Peace After the Armenian ElectionsCommentary
It’s time to build momentum, and Ankara is the venue of the next opportune diplomatic window to do this.
Alper Coşkun, Garo Paylan
