China pushes for more influence in Latin America, Caribbean economies

Beijing

CHINESE President Xi Jinping pledged to increase cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean on Thursday as he opened a forum in Beijing with leaders from 30 countries in the region.

The China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) gathering comes as China pushes for more influence in what has traditionally been Washington's backyard, and with many in the area looking to the Asian nation to offset US dominance.