Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to strengthening relations with Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) nations on Tuesday, unveiling an ambitious five-pillar cooperation roadmap during the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum.
In a speech underscoring China's strategic focus on the Global South, Wang declared the China-LAC relationship had 'entered a new era of equality, mutual benefit, and common development.' He emphasized President Xi Jinping's call to jointly construct 'a closer China-LAC community with a shared future' through concrete initiatives spanning economic, security, and cultural domains.
The announcement comes as economic turbulence and geopolitical realignments reshape global trade patterns. China pledged to operationalize 66 billion yuan ($9.18 billion) in credit lines for infrastructure and emerging industries while prioritizing supply chain stability under signature initiatives like the Belt and Road framework.
Wang outlined key priorities:
Economic Synergy: Expanding digital economy cooperation and enhancing agricultural technology transfers
Security Alignment: Joint implementation of cybersecurity protocols and anti-terrorism strategies
Cultural Bridges: Multi-level exchanges between academic institutions, media organizations, and local governments
Global Governance: Coordinated reforms at the United Nations to 'amplify developing nations' voices'
The minister specifically highlighted infrastructure connectivity projects and resource-sharing programs as operational cornerstones. While not naming specific countries, he reaffirmed China's adherence to 'non-interference principles' and opposition to 'hegemonic acts,' a stance resonating with many LAC policymakers.
With bilateral trade exceeding $450 billion in 2023, observers see the forum outcomes as crucial for navigating post-pandemic recovery challenges. The renewed partnership framework could redefine South-South cooperation models in critical sectors like renewable energy and advanced manufacturing.
