Beijing witnessed a significant milestone in cross-continental diplomacy this week as Chinese and Latin American officials celebrated progress in economic collaboration. At a high-level forum, Director-General Zhang Run of the Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasized that China's partnership with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) is built on mutual respect and shared objectives.
'Our cooperation framework prioritizes Latin America's development needs while aligning with China's expertise in infrastructure and technology,' Zhang stated during the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum. The meeting concluded with agreements to expand collaboration in green energy, digital economy, and agricultural modernization.
Addressing recent criticism of China's engagement in the region, Zhang dismissed what he called 'baseless narratives,' asserting that 23 Latin American countries have joined the Belt and Road Initiative through voluntary participation. Economic data presented at the forum showed bilateral trade reaching $480 billion in 2023, with Chinese investments creating over 600,000 local jobs across the region since 2020.
Analysts highlight the strategic timing of these developments, as Latin American nations seek alternative partners for sustainable development projects. The forum's concluding joint statement outlined plans for 12 new cooperation platforms, including a China-LAC Digital Silk Road Working Group and a joint climate research initiative.
