A decade ago, copper giant Peru's largest trade partner was the United States. Now it is China, by far. The Asian country gobbles up Peru's supply of copper and has built a massive port on the country's coast to turbo-charge bilateral trade.

Argentina's libertarian President Javier Milei came to office in late 2023 slamming China as a communist "assassin" and threatening to weaken ties with the Asian nation. Instead, exports to China including soy and lithium jumped 15% in his first year.

China’s political calendar is again focusing on one of the most anticipated events of the year, the Two Sessions. To be held from March 5, these annual meetings of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) are a chance to see where the country is heading strategically.