Mónica Vergara is a Ph.D. candidate at FLACSO Ecuador and a professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador – Esmeraldas Campus (PUCESE). From July 22 to August 2, 2024, she is a visiting researcher at our Millennium Nucleus ICLAC. We spoke with her to learn more about her research and her impressions of China’s presence in Latin America. Here’s what she shared:
– Name and Occupation…
Mónica Vergara Toro, Ph.D. candidate at the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (FLACSO in spanish), in the International Studies program. Professor-researcher at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador – Esmeraldas Campus (PUCESE).
– What is your Ph.D. thesis about?
My doctoral research focuses on the role of the People's Republic of China (PRC) as a key actor in financing, constructing, and investing in renewable energy, with a specific focus on developing countries such as Chile and Ecuador. The study aims to understand the mechanisms the PRC uses to cooperate and invest in the development and operation of renewable energy infrastructures and whether this dynamic fits into a new model of cooperation where Global South countries could sustain more complementary relationships to achieve common goals, particularly in terms of energy transition.
If you had to summarize your research in one sentence or question…
China's positioning in strategic sectors of the region.
What do you expect from your visit to Chile?
I aim to understand the dynamics of Chinese investment in renewable energy in Chile and how it aligns (or not) with the specific economic, political, and social context of the country, making comparisons with other case studies like Ecuador.
If you had to summarize the impact of China on Latin America, you would say…
The impact is not uniform; it is variable and significant in each country of the region, both economically and politically. For South America, China has become a crucial trading partner and an increasing source of investment and financing, significantly affecting the economies of these countries.
Favorite place in Chile so far…
I haven’t been able to visit other cities besides Santiago, but so far, Cerro San Cristóbal is a beautiful, magical place with plenty of nature to escape the urban dynamic. The view is spectacular.
What book are you reading?
“Connecting China, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Infrastructure and Everyday Life" edited by Enrique Dussel Peters, James A. Cook & Joseph S. Alter.
“La impronta latinoamericana en la economía política internacional” by Cintia Quiliconi.