In a strategic move to bolster South-South cooperation, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently visited Brazil and Jamaica, marking a significant expansion of China’s engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean. This tour underscores the region's growing importance in China’s global collaboration agenda.
China has long been a champion of South-South cooperation, with historical projects like the Tanzania-Zambia Railway laying the foundation for modern partnerships. Today, initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and the China-CELAC Forum drive extensive collaboration across various sectors including agriculture, technology, education, and poverty alleviation.
Trade between China and Latin America and the Caribbean has surged dramatically, increasing over 35-fold from $14 billion in 2000 to approximately $500 billion in 2022, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). This growth is complemented by substantial Chinese investments that are transforming infrastructure and fostering innovation within the region.
Wang Yi’s visits to Jamaica and Brazil highlight pivotal milestones in these relationships. Jamaica, a pioneer in the Caribbean to establish a strategic partnership with China and join the BRI, has benefited from major infrastructure projects such as the North-South Highway, Montego Bay Perimeter Road, and the South Coast Highway. Meanwhile, 2024 will celebrate the fifth anniversary of the China-Jamaica Strategic Partnership and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and Brazil, further cementing these vital alliances.
With 21 countries from Latin America and the Caribbean now part of the BRI, and the China-CELAC Forum gaining prominence, China’s commitment to deepening ties in the region is clear. These efforts not only enhance economic growth but also promote sustainable development and cultural exchange, reinforcing China’s role as a key partner in the Global South.
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Wang Yi's Brazil and Jamaica visits: Deepening South-South cooperation
cgtn.com
