China’s Wang Yi Strengthens Ties with Brazil and Jamaica, Boosting South-South Cooperation
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent visits to Brazil and Jamaica mark a significant step in deepening China’s collaboration with Latin America and the Caribbean. Following his tour of Africa, Wang Yi’s engagement with the Western Hemisphere underscores the growing importance of these regions in China’s agenda for South-South cooperation.
For decades, China has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to advancing initiatives that promote mutual development among developing nations. Historical projects like the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) highlight China’s dedication to supporting infrastructure and economic growth in partner countries. Today, this commitment is further strengthened through comprehensive frameworks such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (China-CELAC Forum), and China’s Climate Change South-South Cooperation.
Trade relations between China and Latin America and the Caribbean have witnessed remarkable growth. According to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), bilateral trade surged from $14 billion in 2000 to nearly $500 billion in 2022—a more than 35-fold increase. China’s investments in the region are expanding across sectors including agriculture, science and technology, education, and poverty alleviation, signaling a robust and growing partnership.
With Argentina’s formal accession to the BRI in 2022, a total of 21 Latin American and Caribbean countries are now participants in this global development initiative. The China-CELAC Forum has also gained prominence, serving as a vital platform for enhancing collaborative ties and fostering mutual growth.
Wang Yi’s visits to Jamaica and Brazil emphasize China’s dedication to strengthening these pivotal partnerships. In 2024, China and Jamaica will celebrate the fifth anniversary of their strategic partnership, while China and Brazil will commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations. Jamaica was among the first Caribbean nations to establish a strategic partnership with China and the first in the region to join the BRI. China’s significant contributions to Jamaica’s infrastructure—including the construction of the North-South Highway, the Montego Bay Perimeter Road, and the South Coast Highway—highlight the tangible benefits of this cooperation.
These developments signal a continued commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing connectivity between China and its partners in Latin America and the Caribbean. As South-South cooperation deepens, the prospects for shared prosperity and mutual advancement become increasingly attainable.
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Wang Yi's Brazil and Jamaica visits: Deepening South-South cooperation
cgtn.com
