Beijing, May 13, 2025 – Chinese President Xi Jinping inaugurated the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum, urging stronger ties between China and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) nations while cautioning that trade wars and tariffs benefit no one. Addressing leaders and delegates in Beijing, Xi outlined a bold vision for collaboration, emphasizing solidarity, development, and a shared commitment to a fairer global order.
A Call for Unity in a Divided World
In a world grappling with rising protectionism and geopolitical divides, Xi positioned China and LAC countries as key players in the Global South, united by a history of striving for sovereignty and progress. He criticized unilateral actions and dominance by any single power, advocating instead for multilateral cooperation grounded in mutual respect.
The China-CELAC Forum, marking its 10th anniversary, has grown into a vital platform for dialogue and partnership. Xi highlighted the forum’s achievements, from booming trade to cultural exchanges, noting that bilateral trade reached over $500 billion in 2024—a remarkable leap from two decades ago.
A Five-Point Plan for the Future
Xi unveiled a comprehensive five-point strategy to elevate China-LAC relations:
- Solidarity Program: Strengthening political trust through exchanges for 300 CELAC political leaders annually, alongside joint efforts to promote global fairness and international law.
- Development Program: Expanding infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative, with a new ¥66 billion credit line to boost LAC economies, clean energy, and digital innovation.
- Civilization Program: Fostering cultural ties through archaeological collaborations, festivals, and a new Latin American Arts Season in China.
- Peace Program: Enhancing security cooperation in areas like cybersecurity and disaster response, with tailored training and equipment for LAC nations.
- People-to-People Connectivity: Offering 3,500 scholarships, 10,000 training opportunities, and visa-free travel to select LAC countries to deepen interpersonal bonds.
These initiatives aim to build what Xi described as a shared future, rooted in equality and common goals.
A History of Friendship
Xi traced the roots of China-LAC ties back to the 16th-century trade routes across the Pacific, which carried goods and cultural goodwill. Modern relations, strengthened since the 1960s, have seen China champion LAC causes, from supporting Panama’s canal rights to opposing the U.S. embargo on Cuba at the United Nations.
Economic partnerships have flourished, with over 200 Belt and Road projects generating a million jobs in LAC countries. Landmark projects, like Peru’s Chancay Port, have boosted connectivity, while free trade agreements with nations like Chile and Ecuador have deepened economic integration.
During crises, such as natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, China and LAC nations stood together. Since 1993, China has deployed nearly 40 medical teams to the Caribbean and supplied millions of vaccine doses and medical supplies during the pandemic.
A Vision for a Multipolar World
Xi concluded with a call for a more equitable global system, where Global South nations have a stronger voice in international governance. He emphasized reforming global institutions to reflect the aspirations of developing countries and resist division.
Drawing on cultural wisdom, Xi invoked the timeless value of friendship, pledging China’s unwavering support as a reliable partner to LAC nations. The Fourth Ministerial Meeting sets the stage for a dynamic new chapter in China-LAC relations, with the potential to reshape global cooperation in an era of uncertainty.
