China has committed to building several major infrastructure projects in El Salvador. The deal includes building a large sports stadium, a library, and a water treatment plant, although the exact investment amount has not been disclosed. Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping stated that the investment represented a “gigantic, non-refundable cooperation”, signaling strengthening ties between the countries. El Salvador adheres to the concept of one China and rejects Taiwanese independence.
Beijing’s role has been growing in the Central American region, to the anger of the United States, as countries increasingly cut ties with Taipei. The US claims that China’s diplomatic push in the region is a facade for utilizing economic inducements to gain influence. The deal is the strongest demonstration thus far of a growing relationship between the two countries, as El Salvador is set to participate in President Xi Jinping’s signature Belt and Road Initiative, and China is prepared to import more goods from the Central American country.
