BEIJING - Although Washington's influence is declining in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the US remains the region's largest trade partner and investment source, a think tank report said.

"The United States maintained intensive diplomatic contacts with the LAC region during the past year, hoping to improve its relations with countries in the region," wrote He Shuangrong, a professor at the Institute of Latin American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, in its report on the region's development in 2010-2011.

A survey of 18 LAC countries conducted by Chilean research company Latinobarmetro in 2010 showed that the US' image clearly improved after President Barack Obama took office.