Summary
China’s President Xi Jinping inaugurated the $1.3 billion Chancay megaport in Peru, a key hub for South America-Asia trade, promising “tangible results” like jobs and revenue.
However, locals in the impoverished fishing town say the project has destroyed fish breeding grounds, reduced catches, and brought no economic benefits.
Residents fear further pollution, citing past oil spills.
While officials promote the port’s potential for regional growth, locals criticize the lack of infrastructure investment in their community, calling the port a “monster” that worsens inequality.
More belt and road usury?
Every major infrastructure project will come with a long list of nimby complaints. Thing is, developing countries actually need these projects to improve people’s livelihoods in the long run.
There is a difference in getting a project and prostitute the resources of the country. Which is usually the end of many so called developments around here in South America.
That is just learned helplessness. No matter what development pathway you want to aim for, good ports are almost always one of the most important pieces of infrastructure a country can possess. And South America’s weak international and intra-regional connectivity is one of its biggest things holding it back, and has been for decades.
You’ll only be right if the original residents receive the infrastructure upgrades they need. Hopefully we’ll check back in a few years and all these people will have running water, but if not then it’ll just prove that they were taken advantage of.
Because Xi is an imperialist despot claiming ownership of things he or his country does not own.
