“How has the rising middle class in Zambia, and Nambia factored into the equation? How about the new silk road?”
Many third world countries have now learned the hard way of China’s “Debt Trap” con game, where they bribe local officials to enter their countries into infrastructure deals with China, that ultimately result in forfeiting National assets, and enriching some communist princeling or another.
Mines, farms, ports - again and again, poor countries have been pillaged of National assets through these corrupt techniques. There is no love for the communist regime in China - their foreign friends are rented, like prostitutes. The communists have shown no one real friendship, but have swindled many. Corruption is just too central to their only unifying principle (clinging to power), for them to refrain from preying on foreigners.
How deeply is China involved in Brazil? I have a feeling Brazil’s new President is not going to tolerate the sort of crap you describe, unless he has no choice.