China Latin America cooperation accelerates (international discourse)

The Fourth Ministerial Conference of the China Latin American and Caribbean States Forum was held in Beijing on May 13th. This conference marks the 10th anniversary of the official operation of the China Latin America Forum and has attracted widespread attention from the international community. Multiple foreign media outlets have issued positive comments on the fruitful achievements of the China Latin America Forum over the past 10 years and the important consensus reached at this conference, praising the pragmatic cooperation between China and Latin America for benefiting the world.

The Five Major Projects are Practical Measures to Promote China Latin America Cooperation

In 2015, the China Latin America Forum was established. Over the past 10 years, under the guidance of the head of state's diplomatic strategy and the careful cultivation of both sides, the China Latin America Forum has grown from a young seedling to a towering tree.

The Deutsche Welle website recently reported that several leaders and officials from Latin American countries visited Beijing to attend this conference. In recent years, China has strengthened its cooperation with Latin American countries. Several Latin American countries have joined the "the Belt and Road" initiative, and China is the largest trading partner of Brazil, Peru, Chile and other countries.

The Argentine newspaper "Twelfth Page" pointed out in an article that the China Latin America Forum has achieved fruitful results in the past 10 years. For China, geographical distance is not a barrier. China and Latin America have always maintained equality and mutual trust, forging a deep friendship of unity, cooperation, friendship, and mutual assistance. Currently, China is committed to deepening this path of South South cooperation for mutual benefit.

During this conference, China announced its willingness to work with Latin America to launch five major projects, namely the "Unity Project," "Development Project," "Civilization Project," "Peace Project," and "People's Livelihood Project," to jointly implement the three global initiatives. The meeting adopted a number of outcome documents, covering specific measures for cooperation between the two sides in scientific and technological innovation, economic and trade investment, artificial intelligence, finance, infrastructure, agriculture and food, industry and informatization, energy and minerals, as well as the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road" and other fields, demonstrating the firm determination of China and Latin America in seeking peace, development and cooperation.

Latin American News Agency commented that after 10 years of development, the China Latin America Forum has become an efficient mechanism to deepen China Latin America relations and strengthen strategic cooperation. The news agency quoted Venezuelan Foreign Minister Ivan Hill as saying that this conference has laid the foundation for deepening cooperation between China and the member states of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. Ivan Hill believes that the five major projects announced by China signify a crucial step towards closer and more efficient cooperation between China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

According to an article in Pakistan's Forum Express, this conference has become a new milestone in deepening relations between China and Latin America. The partnership between the two sides is based on mutual trust and a shared commitment to peace, development, and justice. The five major projects proposed by the Chinese side accelerate the expansion of China Latin America relations into the field of global governance.

Iran's English news television reported that during this conference, China announced that it will provide a credit line of 66 billion yuan to Latin America to support their development, indicating China's intention to continue strengthening its economic partnership with Latin American countries.

China has always been willing to listen to the voices of Latin America, "said Mexican international political expert Gerardo Torres Valdes. The five major projects announced by China are practical measures to promote cooperation between Latin America and China. The vitality of cooperation between Latin America and China lies in meeting common interests and genuine needs. China has always been based on the actual needs of Latin America, promoting the implementation of cooperation projects and injecting momentum into the development of Latin America.

The pace of improving the quality and upgrading of China Latin America cooperation continues to accelerate

Recently, 300 Chinese made electric buses arrived in Chile, joining the ranks of over 2000 buses currently running on the streets of the Santiago region, becoming a brand new scenic spot on the local streets.

Latin American News Agency reported that this batch of electric buses is the first batch of 1800 electric buses made in China, which will be used to improve the public transport service system in Chile and reduce the pollution caused by diesel. The Chilean Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications stated that after all electric buses are put into operation in China, the proportion of electric vehicles in the RED public transportation system in the Chilean capital region will reach 68%.

This is a vivid reflection of the deepening and practical cooperation in multiple fields between China and Latin America. In recent years, the pace of upgrading and innovating cooperation between China and Latin America has been accelerating, and the relationship between China and Latin America has been running at an "acceleration".

The Observer Weekly of Saint Kitts and Nevis published an article stating that China has always actively deepened cooperation with Latin American countries, engaging in multi field collaboration through providing investment, assisting in project construction, donating medical supplies, and other means. At the same time, the trade volume between China and Latin America continues to grow, and China continues to increase investment in Latin American mineral, agricultural, energy, and technology fields, benefiting Latin American countries greatly. The vigorous development of the China Latin America Forum reflects China's consistent adherence to the principle of cooperation without any political conditions attached, providing a continuous source of development resources for Latin American countries.

The website of The Economist magazine reports that trade is an important link of cooperation between China and Latin America. Most Latin American countries are now importing more and more products from China. Chinese enterprises have also invested heavily in Latin America, extending beyond traditional fields such as mining and agriculture to areas such as telecommunications, renewable energy, and electricity.

The dimensions of China Latin America cooperation are constantly expanding. In late April, the first China Latin America and Caribbean Countries Science Day was held in Beijing. The attending experts shared the latest research results and practical experience of China Latin America and the Caribbean cooperation in key areas such as life and health, agricultural technology, digital technology, and biological breeding, as well as in the construction of cooperation platforms such as the China Latin America and the Caribbean Technology Transfer Center and the China Latin America and the Caribbean Sustainable Food Innovation Center.

Bolivian scientist and chairman and founder of the Andean Countries Science and Technology Organization, Marc Cabello, recently wrote that the Science Day event is a milestone, showcasing the significant progress made by the China Latin America Forum in its 10th anniversary of operation and highlighting the continuous deepening of cooperation between the two sides in the fields of science, technology, and innovation. These fields are not only seen as engines of economic growth, but also as pillars of sustainable development, mutual respect, and world peace. Nowadays, more and more Latin American countries are participating in China led joint laboratories, research centers, and training programs, which is not a passive acceptance of technological achievements, but helps promote knowledge dissemination.

The China Latin America Forum gathers global Southern forces for unity and cooperation

According to market research firm IndexBox, the trade volume between China and Latin American countries will break through the $500 billion mark for the first time in 2024, setting a new historical high. The significant increase in trade volume between China and Latin America reflects the deepening of bilateral economic integration. According to the data from the IndexBox platform, diversified commodity trade such as electronic products, mechanical equipment, and agricultural products has jointly promoted the vigorous development of bilateral economic and trade relations between China and Latin America. The China Latin America Forum, as an important platform for dialogue and cooperation, is conducive to enhancing mutual understanding and deepening economic cooperation. As China continues to strengthen its ties with Latin America, both sides will benefit from expanding trade and investment opportunities, laying a solid foundation for building a more closely interconnected world economic pattern.

According to an article published on the website of the Asia Times, thanks to the "the Belt and Road" initiative proposed by China, Peru's Qiankai Port is expected to become the largest deep-water port on the Pacific side of South America. Against the backdrop of global multipolarity, trade flows and capital investment have broken through the Western dominated pattern, injecting new momentum into the balanced development of the world economic landscape.

Against the backdrop of the current complex international situation and multiple intertwined risks, both China and Latin America are important members of the global South. Strengthening cooperation and maintaining good communication and cooperation on global issues will not only inject new connotations into the development of China Latin America relations, but also make new contributions to promoting the international order towards a more fair and just direction.

In May 2024, China and Brazil jointly issued a "six point consensus" on the political resolution of the Ukrainian crisis, which received widespread support and response. In January of this year, Bolivia, Cuba and other countries became BRICS partners, and cooperation among countries in the global South is increasingly becoming a new trend of the times. The 9th Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States adopted the Tegucigalpa Declaration, calling for common development through solidarity and cooperation, reflecting the collective call of the global South to promote global governance reform.

Ningfa Montanio, Chairman of the China Mexico Cultural Development Foundation, said, "Despite the differences in civilization and culture, independence and self-reliance are important spiritual qualities shared by countries in the global South. The China Latin America Forum brings together the united and cooperative forces of the global South, which will help establish a more just and reasonable global governance system

Carlos Aquino, Director of the Asian Studies Center at the National University of San Marcos in Peru, stated that multilateralism is currently facing challenges, and the joint advocacy of building a peaceful world and promoting inclusive and mutually beneficial economic globalization between Latin America and China is of great significance. Strengthening coordination and cooperation between both sides on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations is conducive to enhancing the voice and influence of countries in the global South, and will lay a solid foundation for promoting the construction of a more just and reasonable international order and achieving common development.