Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to address the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing on May 13, signaling strengthened cooperation between Asia and Latin America. The event marks a pivotal moment for regional diplomacy amid growing economic and geopolitical shifts.
The China-CELAC Forum, established in 2015, serves as a key platform for advancing trade, infrastructure development, and cultural ties between the Chinese mainland and the 33-member Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). Analysts anticipate Xi's speech will outline new pathways for collaboration in green energy, digital innovation, and food security.
Bilateral trade between China and CELAC nations surged to $485 billion in 2023, with Chinese investments financing ports, railways, and renewable energy projects across the region. The forum also prioritizes people-to-people exchanges, boosting tourism and academic partnerships.
"China remains committed to fostering a shared future with Latin America," stated a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, emphasizing mutual benefits in an era of global economic uncertainty.
