Shared Goals for a Mutually Beneficial Partnership
Beijing. China seeks to strengthen cooperation with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) by focusing on solid partnerships, addressing global challenges, and promoting peace. The Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Miao Deyu, highlighted that the region possesses potential and development prospects, with both parties advocating for economic globalization, multilateralism, and a trade system centered around the World Trade Organization (WTO), rejecting unilateralism, economic coercion, and politicization of trade relations.
Independence and Mutual Support
Miao Deyu emphasized that the people of Latin America and the Caribbean aspire to build their own homes, not someone else’s backyard. He stated, “They seek independence and not a new Monroe Doctrine,” during a press conference with Latin American media outlets.
He added, “The China-CELAC cooperation is South-South, with only mutual support and no geopolitical obstacles. It is purely cooperation based on shared gains.” He further clarified, “China never seeks to exert force or target any third party. We advocate for equality and mutual respect.”
Achievements in a Decade of Cooperation
- Signed free trade agreements with Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Nicaragua.
- Negotiations with Honduras and El Salvador are ongoing.
- Established visa exemption agreements with seven CELAC countries.
- Initiated air cargo routes from Wuhan, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen to Mexico City.
China remains the second-largest trading partner of the region, with a projected trade volume of $500 billion in 2024.
Declaración de Beijing and Plan of Action
During the upcoming meeting in Beijing on May 13, presided over by President Xi Jinping, the Declaration of Beijing will be adopted, reaffirming China’s commitment to peace, development, and cooperation. The Plan of Action for Cooperation in Priority Areas (2025-2027) will also be renewed, focusing on science and technology, economy and trade, infrastructure, agriculture, industry, energy, mining, and collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Successful Sino-Latin American Cooperation
Chang Fuliang, dean of the School of Spanish and Portuguese Studies at the University of Foreign Studies in Beijing, acknowledged that sino-Latin American cooperation has yielded significant results, especially in the continuous growth of trade and projects in economic areas.
He emphasized that successful infrastructure construction has opened numerous possibilities for multilateral cooperation. China and Latin America share membership in the ‘Global South,’ facing similar development challenges and convergent demands that have generated growing interest and expectations for bilateral cooperation.
Chang Fuliang concluded that, despite some challenges, the alliance presents more collaboration opportunities than obstacles. He noted that CELAC has reaffirmed its commitment to independence and self-sufficiency, promoting regional unity as a means of strengthening its collective position in the international arena.
“The China-Latin America Forum has become a crucial and highly effective platform for promoting multilateral and multi-level relationship development between both parties. Through this platform, members have contributed concrete ideas, capabilities, and commitments oriented towards global governance transformation while jointly safeguarding international peace and stability.”
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main goal of China’s cooperation with CELAC? The primary objective is to establish a stronger partnership, address global challenges, and promote peace.
- What achievements have been made in a decade of cooperation? Free trade agreements with Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Nicaragua have been signed. Visa exemption agreements exist with seven CELAC countries, and air cargo routes from Wuhan, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen to Mexico City have been initiated.
- What will be discussed during the upcoming meeting in Beijing? The Declaration of Beijing and the Plan of Action for Cooperation in Priority Areas (2025-2027) will be adopted, focusing on various sectors such as science and technology, economy and trade, infrastructure, agriculture, industry, energy, mining, and collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative.
- What is the significance of China-CELAC cooperation? This cooperation has yielded significant results, with continuous growth in trade and projects in economic areas. It presents more collaboration opportunities than obstacles, promoting global governance transformation and safeguarding international peace and stability.
