Chile and China have sustained a steady and expanding partnership over the past decade, driven primarily by growing trade and investment ties that have persisted through multiple Chilean administrations. This assessment follows Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Perez Mackenna’s visit to China last week, which coincided with the 10th anniversary of the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership.
During his visit, Perez Mackenna emphasized Chile’s commitment to deepening high-level exchanges, strengthening cultural connections, enhancing industrial chain integration, and advancing cooperation in technology sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), scientific research, digital economy, and talent development.
Experts highlight the remarkable continuity in Chile’s China policy, despite changes in government ideology. Francisco Urdinez, an associate professor at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, noted that four Chilean administrations—those of Michelle Bachelet, Sebastian Pinera, Gabriel Boric, and José Antonio Kast—have maintained a consistent approach toward Beijing, a rare phenomenon in foreign policy.
This steady relationship is reflected in trade figures. China has become Chile’s largest trading partner and a key export market. The 2017 upgrade of their bilateral free trade agreement, along with newly established sanitary protocols, expanded Chilean exports beyond traditional copper shipments to include agricultural products such as cherries. Jorge Heine, former Chilean ambassador to China, pointed out that bilateral trade increased eightfold over two decades, reaching $67 billion in 2025, with China absorbing about 40 percent of Chile’s exports.
Moreover, Chinese investment in Chile has notably increased, particularly in sectors like mining, energy, infrastructure, and agribusiness. According to Urdinez, the nature of the relationship has shifted from primarily commodity exports to Chinese ownership and involvement in critical Chilean infrastructure.
Chile’s ties to China have deep historical roots; it was the first South American country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China in 1970. Since the democratic transition in 1990, every Chilean president has made at least one official visit to China, underscoring the enduring diplomatic connection.
The recent visit by Foreign Minister Perez Mackenna was seen as significant not only for its immediate diplomatic outcomes but also as a strong signal of the Kast administration’s intention to prioritize the relationship as state policy rather than a carryover from previous governments. Discussions included plans to revive the bilateral strategic economic dialogue in 2027, aiming to further cooperation in areas such as services, agriculture, and digital technology.
Experts believe practical advances are most likely in expanding service industries, opening new agricultural export protocols, and exploring opportunities in data centers and digital services, where Chile’s strengths include renewable energy generation and regulatory stability.
Additionally, Perez Mackenna’s visit aligns with increased engagement between China and Latin America more broadly. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the China-Chile free trade agreement and follows state visits by leaders from Ecuador and El Salvador. China-Latin American trade reached a record $307 billion in the first half of 2026, reflecting deepening economic integration across the region.