In the lush Nahuelbuta mountain range of Chile, an innovative partnership is helping protect Darwin's fox, one of Latin America's rarest animals.
Through the Tech4Nature project, developed by Chinese tech giant Huawei, cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are assisting local conservationists in safeguarding this endangered species. With an acoustic monitoring platform created with nonprofit Rainforest Connection, the technology identifies animal sounds and alerts rangers to potential threats like poaching and illegal logging. This quick response capability is proving essential for preserving fragile ecosystems.
This initiative is one example of China's growing impact in Latin America through technology. Beyond protecting wildlife, China's digital and AI technologies are also contributing to other areas of environmental conservation and economic development.
For instance, Chinese scientists are supporting marine ecosystem research in Ecuador through digital twin technology, which simulates oceanic systems to provide valuable data for conservation efforts. Also, Chinese cloud technology has deepened its presence in markets like Brazil and Mexico, helping local enterprises reduce costs and securely store data more efficiently.
China-Latin America cooperation in scientific and technological innovation has also yielded significant results, including the China-Brazil Earth resources satellite cooperation and the establishment of an astronomy research center in Chile.
"China's development in 5G technology, low-carbon solutions and energy transformation is not just an economic opportunity but also a contribution to combating climate change," said Marco Aurelio Alves de Mendonca, a researcher at the Brazilian Institute of Applied Economic Research. He added that these innovations are expected to pave the way for future cooperation.
Professor Yuan Dongzhen, deputy director of the Latin American Institute at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, notes that China-Latin America cooperation is evolving rapidly.
"Traditional areas of collaboration have strengthened, while new fields are experiencing significant growth," Yuan said. Areas such as green energy, digital economy, satellite technology and cross-border e-commerce have become key pillars of this partnership.