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Abstract

The author analyzes China's engagement with Latin America in the last decade and its implications for US natíonal security. By arguing that the PRC does not currently threaten US vital interests in its own backyard, the author takes into account the Sino-American strategic dialogue, the PRC national security interests and China's regional strategy. Although Latin America is desperately looking for its next economic redeemer, China is not yet willing to challenge the US in the región. The exaggerated Chinese threat theory has largely been promoted by a wide range of different interest groups in the US Congress and via the US medía.