In a world where geopolitical and economic dynamics are rapidly evolving, the flow of capital from Asia to foreign markets has become a barometer for changes in the global landscape. Over the past 16 years, for example, the geographical distribution of Chinese investments has undergone significant changes, marking a decisive turn towards countries in Latin America and Southern Africa, where the proportion of Chinese capital per investment increased by 220% and 230%, respectively, according to data from the American Enterprise Institute (AEI).

This shift reflects a process of strategic adaptation in response to stricter regulations in developed countries and the reduction of operational costs through cheaper raw materials, as seen in the African case. In Latin America, the change became more evident in 2018 due to increasing geopolitical uncertainties between China and the United States and gained momentum in 2021 with the relocation of companies triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.

In this context, Latin American countries like Mexico have witnessed a significant increase in Asian investments, such as that of electronics specialist Hisense, which announced a $250 million investment in 2023 to open its second factory on Mexican soil.

Since 2007, Mexico has received an average of $250 million in Chinese investments per year, including stock acquisitions, construction of new facilities (known as "greenfield" investments), and expansion of existing properties. These investments have prioritized the energy, automotive and transportation, metals, and infrastructure sectors, which represent about 80% of the capital flows recorded by the AEI.

Investment in Brazil also began in the early 2000s, and this bilateral partnership has perpetuated and solidified to this day. According to the Brazil-China Business Council, just in 2021, the Asian powerhouse invested $5.9 billion, and in 2022, confirmed Chinese investments in the country reached $1.3 billion.

This flow of investments has also been reflected in the commercial real estate market. Data from SiiLA in Mexico show that over the last three years, the gross leasable industrial and corporate area occupied by Chinese companies in Mexico tripled, surpassing 2.6 million square meters nationwide.

In Brazilian lands, the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD took over the space left by the American company Ford in Bahia. Thus, the real estate market, especially the industrial segment, has benefited from this injection of capital, boosting demand for manufacturing and logistics spaces.

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This phenomenon is aligned with the commercial strategy of this Asian country to diversify investments and secure key resources, while seeking to mitigate trade tensions with the United States by exploring alternative and strategic markets such as Latin America.

Forecast indicates that Asian investment in Latin America and Africa will continue to grow, especially with negotiations for commercial de-dollarization among BRICS countries. Additionally, this investment reflects a need to secure commodities and a desire to diversify their foreign reserves, a reflection of the war in Ukraine and rivalry with the United States.

In North America, including the United States and Canada, Chinese investment has drastically decreased. In 2023, one of the lowest capital flows since 2005 was recorded. This decline is attributed not only to the impact of the pandemic but also to an increasingly hostile regulatory environment regarding investments from the Asian country; in 2022, the US launched the largest package of sanctions against Chinese companies, which harmed the semiconductor trade.

In contrast, Europe remains an important destination for investments from the Asian powerhouse, thanks to a regulatory approach that allows specific opportunities for investors, especially in Germany.

Such investments are an opportunity, especially for the industrial properties sector. Shein was the protagonist of one of the largest transactions, in square meters, in 2023, after leasing 190,000 m² in GLP Guarulhos. Another example is ByteDance, which leased 7.4 thousand m² in the Infinity Tower.