SINO–LATIN AMERICAN RELATIONS: 1959–1976

The foundational literature generally portrays Sino–Latin American relations during the late Maoist era (1959–1976) as limited, with more substantive ties being forged only after this period. Using historical methods, this thesis reexamines the prevailing narrative by leveraging primary source material from the United States Central Intelligence Agency and State Department to better describe Sino–Latin American relations during the late Maoist era, with a focus on Sino–Chilean and Sino–Argentine developments. This thesis refines the periodization of Maoist-era Sino–Latin American relations and offers new insights into key Sino–Latin American interactions. During the early to mid-1960s, Sino–Latin American relations saw expanded communist ideological engagement and nascent unofficial trade relations, spurred by the Cuban Revolution and Sino–Soviet Split. The Cultural Revolution in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) interrupted the development of Sino–Latin American relations during the late 1960s. The development of Sino–Latin American ties resumed in earnest in the 1970s as the PRC emerged from the worst disruptions of the Cultural Revolution. Sino–Latin American relations during the 1970s were characterized by official, pragmatic engagement. These findings suggest that regime instability in the PRC or Latin America, as well as strategic competition among great powers, have the potential to dramatically alter the trajectory of future Sino–Latin American relations.

Grantor dc:publisher

Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School

Year dc:date.issued

2026

Author dc:creator

• Saito, Hiroto

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Darnton, Christopher N.

Statement dc:rights

• This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10945/75033

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:calhoun.nps.edu:10945/75033