[Text/Insight China Liu Chenghui] China's infrastructure cooperation with Latin American countries is accelerating. Simone Tebet, Minister of Planning and Budget of Brazil, revealed on May 9 that Brazil is in talks with China regarding the construction of a railway connecting the port of Chancay in Peru to Brazil. China has shown great interest in helping Brazil build railways.

Tebet told Brazilian media "Carta Capital" that "they are very interested in helping Brazil construct an intricate network of railways."

She disclosed that her team met with representatives from China's state-owned railway company about a month ago to discuss a potential route connecting Chancay Port with Brazil. Located on the shortest path to China in South America, Chancay Port can shorten maritime trade distances by at least 10,000 kilometers.

Simone Tebet, Minister of Planning and Budget of Brazil, social media

Tebet said that the Chinese side initially considered a route through the Amazon region, but the Brazilian government raised different opinions due to issues related to tropical rainforests and indigenous people in the area.

"After comprehensive analysis, they eventually understood our position, and the current idea is to plan a southern route," she said. This railway will pass through Acre State and Tocantins State, finally reaching Bahia State and connecting with the East-West Integrated Railway (FIOL). The FIOL railway, constructed by China Railway Group, began work in July 2023. With a total length of approximately 1,500 kilometers, it is a major artery for inland and coastal transportation in Brazil, connecting with the North-South Railway, and is expected to begin operations in 2027.

Peru-Brazil Railway Planning Map, Brazilian Website Leolino Dourado

"This project may take five or even eight years to complete," Tebet also mentioned that although the project requires a long time to gradually achieve its goals, it will have a transformative impact on the economic development of Brazil's inland underdeveloped regions.

The Chancay Port in Peru, controlled and invested in by a Chinese enterprise, is located behind South America and facing the Pacific Ocean, with significant geographical advantages. As an important project jointly built by China and Peru under the "Belt and Road Initiative," the Chancay Port held its opening ceremony last November. After its operation, the transportation time for goods exported from South America to the Asian market will be shortened from 35 days to 25 days, with significantly reduced sailing times and logistics costs.

In December last year, the "New Shanghai" vessel owned by COSCO Shipping arrived at the Yangshan Port in Shanghai after a 23-day voyage from the Chancay Port in Peru. Visual China

On April 16 this year, João Villaverde, Secretary-General of the Coordination Department of the Ministry of Planning of Brazil, posted on social media that the Brazilian government received a Chinese delegation consisting of technicians and officials to discuss plans for integration in Brazil and South America, particularly in railways, including the railway project connecting South American countries and the Chancay Port, namely the Two-Ocean Railway Project. Brazil first proposed this idea in 2014, initially aiming to connect domestic manufacturing centers with Chilean ports.

He said that the partnership between China and Brazil helps achieve joint development and creates more job opportunities and provides more opportunities in Brazil.

"This is the beginning of in-depth research into technical relations, especially in the railway sector..." Villaverde said that the meeting between the delegations of China and Brazil followed the consensus reached by their leaders. Both sides expressed willingness to explore the alignment of Brazil's development policies and investment plans, such as South American integration, with international initiatives proposed by China, like the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Two-Ocean Railway plan dates back to the 1960s when it was proposed by leaders of Latin American countries. However, due to various economic and geographical constraints, the plan has never been truly launched.

In July 2014, China re-proposed the Two-Ocean Railway project. According to the original plan, the total length of the railway would be approximately 4,919 kilometers, extending westward from the southeastern state of Rio de Janeiro, crossing South America, and reaching the Callao Port in Peru, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, hence named the "Two-Ocean Railway." Once completed, it will be the first transcontinental railway line in Latin America.

After coming to power, Brazilian President Lula attached great importance to regional integration in South America. Lula pointed out that the task of regional development in South America is urgent, requiring the restart of the integration mechanism. He called for "building a strong, confident, and politically organized South America" and proposed several suggestions, including restarting the construction of the Union of South American Nations, designing a "South American Integration Roadmap," and establishing high-level political discussion mechanisms.

In addition, Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated on May 6 that he would sign a letter of intent to join the "Belt and Road Initiative" in the coming days. Foreign media described that since taking office, Petro has pursued diversified international cooperation. After deteriorating relations with the United States, strengthening trade relations with China has become the direction of the Colombian government's work.

Previously, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that when conducting economic and trade investments in Latin America, China never engages in so-called geopolitical competition or creates so-called spheres of influence. "Win-win cooperation" is the keyword of Sino-Latin American relations. Both belong to the Global South and share many similar positions and complementarities, making them natural partners. Sino-Latin American cooperation always adheres to consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits, respects Latin American wishes, meets their needs, promotes their development, and enjoys broad support from Latin American people.

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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7502630316847186459/

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