China, Ecuador: Beijing's Latin American Opportunity

As the highlight of Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa's recent trip to Beijing on Nov. 21, he offered China the use of the Manta air base, for which the U.S. Air Force Southern Command's 10-year usage rights expire in 24 months. While this is by no means a done deal, like Venezuela, Ecuador is explicitly offering itself up as a geopolitical entry point into South America for Beijing. If China accepts the deal, however, it will be more for reasons of trade then for expansionist ambitions.