In advance of the early-May state visit that Argentine President Alberto Fernández has planned in China, the two governments are discussing an ambitious package of 15 infrastructure, energy and transportation projects worth $30 billion that China is prepared to finance, according to Cronista Comercial Feb. 7. President Fernández and Xi Jinping have already been collaborating on a number of issues, but Fernández’s upcoming trip to China is expected to greatly strengthen the existing comprehensive strategic partnership between the two governments, particularly since the Argentine President intends to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on joining the Belt and Road Initiative.
There are reportedly a total of 20 projects under discussion, but of those, 15 are considered to be priorities. Among them are projects to upgrade several rail lines, building the fourth nuclear plant, which will use Chinese technology instead of the Canadian CANDU technology used in the three existing reactors; two large hydroelectric projects in the province of Neuquén, and installation of large “smart” pig farms, by which Argentina will greatly expand pork production for export to China.
These plans are being discussed at the highest levels of both governments. On the Argentine side, Productive Development Minister Martin Kulfas and Strategic Affairs Minister Gustavo Beliz are working to finalize the details of these projects, along with Argentine ambassador in Beijing Sabino Vaca Narvaja. Vaca Narvaja is very close to former President and current Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, under whose 2011-2015 government many of the projects under discussion were agreed to, but were then slowed down or sabotaged by neoliberal President Maurio Macri who succeeded Fernández in office.
The Biden administration is not likely to be pleased with these developments or with Fernández’s trip to Beijing, given its anti-China penchant. But, as Cronista points out, Fernández is treading a fine line between China and the U.S. as he also wants Biden’s support as his government begins to renegotiate the $44 billion loan that Macri contracted with the IMF.
