China’s expanding presence in Latin America underscores the region’s growing significance as a hub for global South cooperation. The recent admission of China as an observer in the Andean Community represents a pivotal step in its strategic engagement with the region. This move is not merely symbolic but reflects Beijing’s intent to influence Latin America’s future through institutional participation, shaping trade and development priorities from within the region’s own governance structures. This development is part of a broader strategy to build multilateral engagement across the Global South, contrasting with Western approaches that often prioritize geopolitical dominance over economic collaboration.