Officials and scholars from the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region have highlighted that China-LAC relations have achieved leapfrog development in recent years, expressing strong confidence in broader cooperation to jointly fuel economic growth and unlock new opportunities for global development.
The fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum took place in the Chinese capital of Beijing on Tuesday, gathering leaders from across the region. This year also marks the 10th anniversary since the forum was first held.
At the opening ceremony of the forum, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech, calling for deepened cooperation between China and LAC countries, garnering wide appreciation among LAC experts and politicians.
Ernesto Samper Pizano, former president of Colombia, pointed out that President Xi has opened up new prospects in the development of LAC-China relations.
"Latin America is in the process of construction. It needs roads, railways, power grids, and also artificial intelligence to develop scientific systems. It needs to create new production-oriented entrepreneurial models, and establish cultural relationships. It is very important to build a collective cooperation mechanism between Latin America and China," he said.
"The China-CELAC Forum has strategically planned cooperation areas for both sides," said Eduardo Roldan, former Consul General of Mexico in Hong Kong of China.
"President Xi's five projects are closely related to the various global initiatives he has put forward, providing a practical path for global common development, common security among countries," said Marcos Pires, director of the Institute of Economics and International Studies at Sao Paulo State University in Brazil.
In addition, other politicians and experts from Latin America pointed out that China has consistently shared development dividends with LAC countries without attaching any political conditions, while facilitating the alignment of national development plans in LAC countries with the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The cooperation has delivered tangible benefits to the people along the route.
"The BRI is of vital importance to Latin America. Being able to participate in this initiative will bring extremely valuable development opportunities to our entire region," said Marcelo Rodriguez, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Argentina.
"Chinese President Xi Jinping's approach has undoubtedly created new possibilities for Latin America and China to pioneer innovative forms of cooperation, giving us many expectations," said Fernando Huanacuni, former Bolivian Foreign Minister.
China has decided to offer a visa-free policy to five countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, and will expand the policy to cover more regional countries in due course, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday.
"Chinese President Xi Jinping mentioned this program of expanding a visa-free policy between China and Latin American countries, and I think this is fantastic because it demonstrates a close relationship. It indicates that trust is prevalent, which promotes the cross-border flow of people," said Douglas Dias, a senior reporter of Brazil's TV Record.
Officials, scholars see broad prospects for China-LAC countries cooperation
