China is emerging as a truly global economic and political power. China's impact on Latin America and the Caribbean region is mixed, however--fostering a trade market for some countries, but creating competition for others.

This pioneering volume, produced by the Inter-American Development Bank's Integration and Regional Programs Department and Research Department, provides a comprehensive overview of China's economic policy and performance over recent decades and contrasts them with the Latin American experience. What are the underlying factors behind China's competitive edge? What are the strategic implications of China's rise for growth and development in Latin America? These questions open new avenues for thinking about revitalizing development strategies in Latin America in the face of China's successful development and reduction of poverty. This insightful report is a must-read for analysts, policymakers, and development practitioners, not only in Latin America and the Caribbean, but wherever China's presence is being felt.

Robert Devlin is Deputy Manager of the Integration and Regional Programs Department of the Inter-American Development Bank.

Antoni Estevadeordal is a Principal Trade Economist of the Inter-American Development Bank.

Andrés Rodríguez is a Research Consultant of the Inter-American Development Bank.

Read More by Antoni Estevadeordal:

• Integrating the Americas: FTAA and Beyond