The first-ever China-CELAC Legal Forum was held on Wednesday in Shanghai, aiming to further strengthen the strategic partnership between China and the countries of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).
The forum attracted officials, academics, and legal professionals from China and 17 CELAC member countries.
"The forum believes that an effective commercial and cultural relationship cannot be developed if it does not have legislative support or a legal framework regulated in accordance with the rule of law," said Jose Alexis Ginarte, president of the National Union of Jurists of Cuba.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-CELAC Forum.
As China celebrates its growing relationship with CELAC member states, the forum seeks to enhance legal exchanges and cooperation in key areas such as the digital economy, financial innovation, and international trade.
"We are all linked together in this digital economy. For example, artificial intelligence is an issue that will be discussed in this forum. It's a topic basic for the legal profession to develop secure rules of ethics, to protect people, to use this type of technology," said Gustavo Satillana, international affairs coordinator for the Mexican Bar Association.
Legal cooperation between China and CELAC has faced challenges posed by differences in law, diverse social and cultural contexts, and a lack of legal professionals focused on China-Latin America relations. The forum seeks to address these issues and promote greater collaboration.
"We hope to use this opportunity to promote more bilateral memorandums of understanding to address specific issues. Therefore, five bilateral meetings are scheduled to be held during the forum," said Song Xiaoyan, dean of the School of Law under the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.
Chinese, Latin American legal experts gather in Shanghai to strengthen future cooperation
