POLITICAL COOPERATION OF THE PRC WITH THE STATES OF LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN (FIRST QUARTER OF THE 21ST CENTURY)

The article is devoted to the analysis of the political positioning of the PRC in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region in the first quarter of the 21st century. The study reveals China’s role in shaping a new geopolitical balance in LAC and assesses the impact of such instruments as the China-CELAC Forum, bilateral agreements between countries, and cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. The purpose of the study is to determine the strategic interests of the PRC regarding LAC, the instruments of political interaction with the region, to assess the geopolitical consequences of its activity, and analyze the impact of Chinese foreign policy on regional and global political processes. The scientific novelty of the study lies in a comprehensive analysis of China’s political strategy in LAC, involving the latest analytical data, official political statements and strategic documents of the PRC and international organizations. The «Chinese-Brazilian peace plan» aimed at ending the war in Ukraine is separately highlighted. The authors consider it not only a new tool for China’s influence on regional conflicts and international security, but also a manifestation of its political positioning and geopolitical ambitions. The research methodology is based on a combination of general and special research methods, in particular, systemic and comparative analysis, which help to trace the changes in the political strategy of the PRC and its impact on regional and global international relations. Conclusions. China’s political and diplomatic positioning in the LAC region is one of the key elements of its global strategy. Using the mechanisms of political cooperation, diplomatic influence and economic partnership, the PRC is forming a new balance of power in the region. The «Chinese-Brazilian peace plan»regarding the cessation of Russian aggression against Ukraine is one of the important tools that allow the PRC to strengthen its positions not only in the LAC region but also on the world stage. The influence of the PRC on international political processes is growing, which requires further research in the context of global changes.