Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored deepening cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) during his keynote speech at the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing on Tuesday. Ambassadors from across the region praised the address, emphasizing opportunities for economic growth and shared development.
President Xi reaffirmed China's commitment to enhancing ties through trade, infrastructure projects, and technology transfers, framing collaboration as a 'win-win partnership for global justice.' He highlighted the Belt and Road Initiative's role in fostering connectivity, urging greater multilateral cooperation on climate action and digital transformation.
Ambassadors expressed optimism about the forum's outcomes. Chile's envoy noted Xi's focus on 'equitable resource sharing,' while Jamaica's representative applauded green energy pledges. A senior diplomat from Argentina stated the speech 'resonated with Latin America's developmental priorities,' citing China's pledge to increase agricultural imports from the region. Guyana's ambassador emphasized strengthened ties in public health infrastructure.
The China-CELAC mechanism, established in 2014, has facilitated over $450 billion in bilateral trade. Observers say the latest forum signals Beijing's strategic outreach to Global South partners amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.
