China and CELAC: A sapling growing into a towering tree

Editor's note: Gao Lei, a special commentator for CGTN, is an associate professor at the Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Opening-up, Research Institute of Globalization and China's Modernization, University of International Business and Economics. Xia Lu, a special commentator for CGTN, is a research fellow at the National Academy for Development and Strategy of Renmin University of China and deputy dean of the School of Marxism Studies at Xinjiang University. The article reflects the authors' opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The year of 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the China-CELAC (the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum. With this opportunity, China and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries shall review the original intention, build consensus based on achievement, plot vision for the future and jointly overcome challenges ahead, working together to promote the deepening and practical construction of the shared China-CELAC future.

Achievement as of now

The political mutual trust between China and CELAC member states continues to deepen. China has maintained close high-level exchanges with LAC countries since the founding of the People's Republic of China. Chinese President Xi Jinping's attending and keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum have reflected that China attached great significance to LAC countries. The two sides have supported each other in international affairs, coordinating the positions on global governance, climate change and other issues in international organizations such as the UN as well as defending the common interests of developing countries.

The economic cooperation between the two sides has made fruitful outcome. China is an important trading partner of many countries in Latin America, and China's investment in Latin America involves many fields ranging from energy, infrastructure to mining. For instance, Chinese enterprises have participated in the construction of many infrastructure projects in this area, such as the Belgrano freight railway transformation project in Argentina, which has improved local logistics efficiency and promoted regional interconnection.

At the same time, agricultural products and other resource products from Latin America have also been exported to China in large quantities, and the trade volume between the two sides has continued to grow, providing impetus for the economic development of Latin American countries.

People-to-people exchanges are becoming increasingly frequent. Exchanges between the two sides in culture, education, sports, tourism and other fields are flourishing. China has set up Confucius Institutes and Chinese culture centers in many Latin American countries to promote Chinese learning and enhance mutual understanding between the peoples.

Meanwhile, cultural, sport and artistic activities in Latin America are also frequently held in China, enriching the cultural life of the Chinese people. It has played an important role in promoting the construction of a community of shared future in China and CELAC and enhancing the influence of Global South.

Visions for the future

There is greater potential in economic cooperation. With the transformation and upgrading of China's economy as well as the pursuit of economic diversification and development by LAC countries, both sides have a wide space for cooperation in emerging industries such as digital economy, clean energy and safe food.

For instance, China may participate in the construction of smart grids and the promotion of electric vehicles and other clean energy projects in Latin America to help countries achieve energy upgrading. Moreover, the two sides could strengthen cooperation in the field of scientific and technological innovation, jointly carry out research and development projects and improve the scientific and technological level of LAC countries.

There are more opportunities for political cooperation in multilateral frameworks. Against the background of global governance reform, China and CELAC member states, can further strengthen cooperation such as cyber-security, anti-corruption and fighting drug-traffic in multilateral mechanisms such as the Group of 20 and the BRICS, as we have observed in last November. The two sides could jointly promote the establishment of a fairer and more reasonable international order, advocate multilateralism, build a cleaner world and enhance just and right voices of Global South in international affairs.

Furthermore, more space for cultural exchange can be expected to help people communicate. The two sides can further deepen the friendship between the people by holding more cultural years, art exhibitions, academic exchange activities, etc.

Tourism cooperation is also projected to be further expanded. With the increase of routes between the two sides and the facilitation of tourist visa policies, more Chinese tourists will travel to Latin America, and vice versa, injecting new vitality into the economic development and cultural exchanges between the two sides. More and richer civil exchanges between the two sides are conducive to establishing a civilized concept of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and understanding, promoting the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom for all mankind.

Although cultural exchanges between the two sides have been substantially strengthened, cultural differences still exist. Different historical, religious and social backgrounds may lead to differences in ideas and perceptions, which may affect the cooperation and communication between the two sides.

Living in a diverse world means we need to face and deal with the difference. Thus, in his keynote speech, President Xi announces that five major projects will be launched in order to seek development and revitalization together, among which, in our opinion, to strengthen the exchange of experience in governing the country, to expand personnel exchanges and to carry out a great exchange of equality and mutual trust will be of great and urgent significance in recent future.

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