America's Neighbors In Latin America Are Making Deals With China

WNU Editor: It is always about the money .... The US is warning its neighbors about cutting deals with China, but Beijing's charm offensive is too hard to resist (AP).

China Is Giving Latin American Generals ‘Lavish,’ All-Expenses-Paid Trips To China

Defense One: Beijing Has Started Giving Latin American Generals ‘Lavish,’ All-Expenses-Paid Trips to China

Inspired by the U.S.’s own programs to train and befriend foreign officers at American military institutions, Beijing is wooing the militaries of the U.S.’s neighbors.

China has started to woo America’s nearest allies by funding “lavish” trips for Latin American military officers to live and study across the Pacific. Beijing is courting officers from the region, offering to cover the cost of military education and travel, Adm. Kurt Tidd, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, told lawmakers Thursday.

“They are very lavishly funding to bring senior military officers from a variety of key countries around our region to China for very lavishly expensed, all-expense-paid trips for them, for their families to be able to live very high lifestyles in the country,” Tidd said at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.

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WNU Editor: The Chinese are always interested in building long term relationships .... and they are very good at it.

China's Canal Project In Central America

China Eyes A Canal Project In America’s Backyard -- Japan Times

LONDON – On June 11, the Nicaraguan Parliament voted in favor of building a $40 billion canal across the country connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Since the country is dirt poor, the money would have to come from international investors. It would be raised by a Hong Kong-based firm, HKDN Group, which in return would get the right to build and run the canal for 50 years. But nobody outside Nicaragua took the plan very seriously.

On June 15, Nicaragua’s president, Daniel Ortega, and Wang Jing, the owner of HKDN, signed a contract that gives the Central American nation 51 percent of the company’s shares. Wang said the capital could easily be raised from Chinese companies and international banks — but since his only business experience has been in running telecommunications firm Xinwei Telecom, again nobody took much notice.

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My Comment: I have doubts that the project will proceed .... there are just too many obstacles and uncertainties for construction to proceed right now. And while it is a dream, I do realize that most dreams do become reality one day.