China and Colombia Partner to Repair Choco Region Infrastructure

China will provide financial assistance to Colombia for repairing damaged infrastructure in the Choco Department. The announcement was confirmed during a meeting between Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo and the Chinese Ambassador to Colombia, Zhu Jingyang, on Friday, April 5. The Choco Department, one of Colombia’s poorest and least developed regions, was recently affected by severe rainfall, leading to a tragic landslide on the Quibdo-Medellín highway, resulting in the deaths of 39 people and highlighting the region’s infrastructure deficiencies.

China’s relief efforts in Choco

The Chinese ambassador disclosed a US$100,000 donation (377 million COP) to Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD). The funds will be allocated to the recovery of the Choco region following the heavy rainfalls that severely impacted local communities and infrastructures. Although the exact allocation of funds has not been disclosed, the UNGRD announced full transparency in the use of the Chinese donation.

The mountain avalanche that caused the tragic deaths of 39 people on January 12, 2024, brought national attention to the problems related to transportation safety and the state of roads in the region. The Choco Department is a historically marginalized region in Colombia. Home to a predominantly Afro-Colombian population, the region still bears the scars of its history related to slavery and forced labor. Following the incident, President Petro announced a US$370,000 (1.4 billion COP) investment plan for the Choco Department, including US$130,000 (500 million COP) for road infrastructure rehabilitation works on the Quibdo-Medellin highway.

China-Colombia relations

China and Colombia have maintained diplomatic relations since 1980. The relationship between the two countries has intensified in recent years, marked by increased Chinese investments and a growing trade. China is now Colombia’s second-largest trading partner, accounting for 20 percent of Colombian imports in 2023, with several leading Chinese companies present in the country, such as Xiaomi, Huawei, ZTE, and Sinopec.

Beyond being an economic partner and significant investor, China also plays a crucial role as a political ally. During their meeting, the Colombian Foreign Minister and the Chinese Ambassador to Colombia discussed the UN mission in Colombia, which is set to present its quarterly report to the UN Security Council, of which China is a member, on April 9, 2024.