Connecting East & West

In this episode, Luis Alberto Pino sits down with Ambassador Jorge Heine, former Chilean ambassador to China, India, and South Africa, to explore his latest thinking on global diplomacy. Drawing on his recent books — The Non‑Aligned World: Striking Out in an Era of Great Power Competition, Latin American Foreign Policies in the New World Order: The Active Non‑Alignment Option, and Xi‑Na in the Century of the Dragon: What Everyone Should Know About China — the conversation examines the resurgence of Active Non‑Alignment, the rise of China, and how Latin America can navigate great‑power rivalry in an increasingly multipolar world.

In this episode, Luis Alberto Pino sits down with Carlos Kuriyama, Director of the Policy Support Unit at the APEC Secretariat. Having been based in Singapore for nearly two decades, Carlos brings a uniquely grounded Asia‑Pacific perspective shaped by both regional policymaking and deep familiarity with Latin American economic realities. Drawing on his experience as a former chief negotiator for Peru and a leading trade policy expert, the conversation explores APEC’s role in advancing evidence‑based policy, the evolving dynamics of Asia–Latin America trade and investment, and the opportunities and challenges ahead for inclusive and sustainable growth across both regions.

In this episode, we sit down with Marcel Oppliger, founder of Taiwan Edge, to explore Taiwan’s unique position at the crossroads of global innovation and geopolitics. Marcel shares insights on how Taiwan leverages its technological leadership, cultural identity, and strategic location to build bridges between Asia and the world.

In this episode, Luis Alberto Pino sits down with Gita Wirjawan, Indonesian entrepreneur, former Minister of Trade, and founder of Ancora Group. Drawing on insights from his new book, What It Takes: Southeast Asia, they discuss the region’s path to sustainable growth and the global trends redefining opportunities for businesses and policymakers alike.

In this episode, Luis Alberto Pino sits down with Alice Sun, CEO and Founder of OrcaMar Strategies. They discuss her vision for connecting global markets, the innovative strategies driving OrcaMar’s success, and the evolving opportunities for businesses navigating the intersection of Asia and Latin America.

In this episode, Luis Alberto Pino sits down with Angela Torres-Andresen, Founder & Executive Director of the Latin American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (LatAmCham). They explore her journey building bridges between Latin America and Asia, the role of LatAmCham in strengthening business ties, and the opportunities ahead for companies across both regions.

In this very first episode, our podcast's host journalist Luis Alberto Pino Gumucio speaks with our CEO and founder Ignacio Tornero, who shares his personal journey with Asia, the story behind the creation of East Consulting, and our ongoing work to connect business opportunities, ideas, and people across both regions.

In this episode of "Connecting East & West", Ignacio Tornero visits Shenzhen – China’s tech capital – for an in-depth conversation with Jin Xiong, partner at leading law firm King & Wood Mallesons (KWM). They explore how Chinese companies are expanding into Latin America, the legal strategies powering their international growth, and what Shenzhen’s fast-paced ecosystem can teach the rest of the world.

In this episode, Ignacio Tornero, Founder & CEO of East Consulting, sits down in Shanghai with partner Ming Wu for a conversation that holds personal significance. A decade ago, in 2014, Ignacio was a foreign associate at Dacheng’s Shanghai office, gaining firsthand experience in China’s dynamic legal and business environment. Now, ten years later, he returns not just as a visitor but as the leader of East Consulting, reconnecting with old colleagues and exploring the evolving landscape of China-Latin America relations.

In this first episode of Connecting East & West, Ignacio Tornero sits down with Peng Tan, partner at Fangda Partners, one of China’s leading law firms. They explore the firm’s history and growth, the evolution of China’s legal landscape, and its increasing engagement with Latin America. Peng shares insights on the Chinese economy, key trends shaping cross-border legal work, and what the future holds for the legal profession in China. Don’t miss this deep dive into the intersection of law, business, and global connections.