Beijing hosted the 4th ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum on May 13, where Chinese President Xi Jinping set the stage for deeper cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean partners. Addressing delegates from across the region, Xi reflected on a decade of progress since the forum began in 2015 and highlighted historical ties dating back to 16th-century ship exchanges.
Xi noted that trade between the Chinese mainland and LAC countries surpassed US$500 billion last year, marking a 40-fold increase since 2000. From Belt and Road infrastructure projects to satellite partnerships and landmark ports like Peru's Chancay hub, collaboration has created over a million jobs and strengthened global connectivity.
From pandemic aid to disaster relief, the Chinese mainland and LAC nations have supported each other in challenging times. Beijing dispatched medical teams, supplied hundreds of millions of vaccine doses, and joined efforts on hurricane and earthquake response, underscoring solidarity in practice.
On global issues, Xi stressed joint commitment to multilateralism, climate action, and peaceful political settlements. He highlighted a six-point understanding with Brazil on the Ukraine crisis, endorsed by over 110 countries, as an example of shared leadership on world affairs.
Looking ahead, Xi unveiled five flagship programs: a Solidarity Program to boost political coordination; a Development Program prioritizing infrastructure, clean energy and the digital economy; a Civilization Program for cultural exchanges; a Peace Program focused on security cooperation; and a People to People Connectivity Program offering scholarships, language training and cultural events.
With these initiatives, Xi called on partners to march together toward modernization and to write a new chapter in building a China-LAC community with a shared future built on equality, openness and mutual benefit.
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Full text: Xi's speech at 4th ministerial meeting of China-CELAC Forum
cgtn.com
