In a landmark move symbolizing deepening ties, China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) have unveiled sweeping plans to boost development cooperation, infrastructure investment, and cultural exchange. The announcement came during President Xi Jinping’s address at the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing this week, marking a decade since the partnership’s official launch.
At the heart of this collaboration stands the newly inaugurated National Library of El Salvador – a China-funded 24,000-square-meter cultural hub that has become a focal point for education, arts, and public engagement since opening in late 2023. This project exemplifies China’s expanding footprint in the region, which now includes over 200 infrastructure initiatives creating nearly one million local jobs.
Bilateral trade has soared to $500 billion as of 2024 – a staggering 40-fold increase since 2000 – with China now serving as the top trade partner for Chile, Brazil, and Peru. The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) continues to gain momentum, with 23 Latin American and Caribbean countries signing cooperation agreements. Flagship projects like Peru’s Chancay Port, which slashed Pacific shipping times by 30%, demonstrate the practical benefits driving regional support: 80% of respondents in a recent CGTN poll view BRI collaborations as economically beneficial.
President Xi outlined five major cooperation pillars focused on development, security, and cultural exchange, backed by concrete commitments:
$9.2 billion in development-focused credit funding
3,500 government scholarships for LAC students
Visa-free policies expanded to five regional nations
Enhanced medical cooperation building on 38 existing China-Caribbean health missions
The initiatives align with growing regional sentiment – 82.9% of Latin Americans surveyed see China’s development model as a relevant reference point. With 86% expressing favorable views of China according to CGTN data, the partnership appears poised for sustained growth as both sides emphasize South-South solidarity in addressing global challenges.
