Jacob Kessler is a freelance journalist currently based in South America researching Chinese influence on the continent. Previously he has lived and worked in Beijing, Taipei, Jerusalem, and Barcelona. You can follow him on Twitter at @JacobLKessler
Elias Jabbour, a prominent Brazilian economist, was hired last month as an aide to New Development Bank president Dilma Rousseff. The appointment of Jabbour, known by some as a "China apologist," stirred up controversy in the Brazilian press, all while current Brazilian president Lula seeks closer diplomatic ties with Beijing.
In 1992, Chinese state-owned Shougang Group won a bid to privately operate an iron mine in Peru, the largest Chinese investment in Latin America at that time. Shougang Hierro Mine in Marcona was immediately profitable, but it has been hounded by labor disputes ever since.
China is Peru's largest trading partner. Within this South American country, Chinese corporations have an opportunity to change public perception about the benefits — and drawbacks — of "Chinese influence."
China's LGBTQ community has already seen its rights and representation diminish in the past few years. Now, with Xi Jinping confirmed for a third term, the future looks bleaker than ever.