Silvina Premat

The children and grandchildren of those who arrived in South America at the time of the Second World War are gearing up to help their compatriots 13,000 kilometres away. Like Brazil, Argentina has agreed to grant humanitarian visas. Rev Miraz Piczaka, pastor of the Orthodox parish in Berisso, said that his community is holding ecumenical prayers and collecting aid for those fleeing war.

A memorandum of understanding is signed during Argentine President Alberto Fernández’s visit to China. His predecessor Macri kept China’s plans at bay in favour of relations with the United States. On paper, China plans to invest US$ 24 billion. Mexico, Brazil and Colombia are next China’s list.

The Asian city-state joins the bloc formed by Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. The Alliance wants to become an intermediary between Latin America and Asia. Singapore already developed trade ties with the region through the former TPP promoted by Obama to counter China. The accord is set to be officially signed in December.

As tensions rise in neighbouring Afghanistan, the local Catholic community opens a convent dedicated to Saint John Paul II. During the inauguration, the Virgin of Luján, patroness of Argentina, was carried in procession, an unusual event for Central Asia.

A cancer patient himself, the Argentine priest from the Institute of the Incarnate Word decided to stay in the Strip to support the few remaining Christians. He talks about the difficulties in getting medical treatment, the injustices that Gazans face, and the activities of his parish.

About 45 per cent of Chileans have been vaccinated, especially with Sinovac, but infections are at their highest since the outbreak of the pandemic. Of the 70 million doses administered in Brazil, 55 per cent are Chinese; yet the number of cases continues to rise. Peru is facing the same issue with Sinopharm. For CADAL researchers, suspicions about Chinese drugs are legitimate.

President Benitez: The Chinese have offered us their vaccines in exchange for diplomatic recognition; Beijing denies. Paraguayans lose $ 350 million a year to have state relations with Taiwan. The two countries united by cultural and sentimental ties. A change of government in Asunción could favour China.

Argentina relies on Sinopharm, whose level of effectiveness has yet to be verified. Sinovac used in Chile and Brazil has a success rate just above 50 per cent. For immunologist Guillermo Docena, any vaccine is better than nothing during a pandemic. Chinese vaccines could be enhanced with Russia’s Sputnik.

For indigenous groups, environmentalists and small local producers, the project is illegal. Mega farms are expected to produce 900,000 tonnes of meat over four years for Chinese domestic consumption, raising fears about its social and environmental impact. Job prospects for Argentines are poor.

The most widely used is Sinovac, made in China. Brazilian doctors have questioned its effectiveness. Another Chinese company, Sinopharm, and Russia’s Sputnik follow. The region’s richest countries – Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Argentina – are getting the lion share of the vaccines. Poorer countries have to rely on COVAX sharing programme.

Chinese investments bring no benefits. Chinese companies violate local laws. Chinese workers get paid more than US$ 2,000 dollars while Venezuelans get US$ 350. The same situation is found in other parts of Latin America. Complaints are made against Chinese mining and oil companies.

Hwang Doo-Jin was sentenced to 12 years in prison for attempted murder of his partner. Local bishops urge people to avoid prejudice and abuse. The conviction has been appealed. There are fears of discrimination because the accused belongs to a small immigrant community.