CCP Tabloid Huanqiu Times published an editorial on the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on China–Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) that was held in Beijing on 13 May.
The editorial stated, “Beijing reiterated its firm backing for Latin American and Caribbean nations in choosing development paths suited to their own national conditions, and supporting them in safeguarding sovereignty and resisting external interference. In return, the region’s countries that maintain diplomatic relations with China continue to offer steadfast support on issues touching China’s core interests, including the one-China principle.”
“In 2024 China–LAC trade exceeded US $500 billion for the first time. More than 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries have signed Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI) Memorandum of Understanding with China. Colombia confirmed during the forum that it joins BRI.”
“The two sides’ practical cooperation shows that Latin America is neither any country’s ‘back yard’ nor a zero-sum arena for great-power rivalry.”
Ta Kung Pao, Chinese Communist Party-controlled newspaper in Hong Kong, listed that China offered five new programs to deepen ties between China and CELAC countries:
- Unity Program: Over the next three years, China will invite 300 CELAC party and political cadres to visit China annually.
- Development Program: China will make RMB 66 billion (US$ 9 billion) in credit lines available to the region.
- Civilization Program: Expand people-to-people exchanges and host a China-LAC Civilizations Dialogue Conference.
- Peace Program.
- People’s-Well-being Program: Over three years China will offer 3,500 government scholarships, 10,000 training places in China, 500 International Chinese-Language Teacher scholarships, 300 poverty-reduction technical-training slots, and 1,000 “Chinese Bridge” study-tour places; carry out 300 “small but beautiful” livelihood projects; and support Chinese-language teaching in CELAC states. China will also grant visa-free entry to an initial five LAC countries and later broaden the list.
Sources:
1. Huanqiu, May 13, 2025
https://m.huanqiu.com/article/4MfMMuJusBa
2. Ta Kung Pao, May 14, 2025
https://www.takungpao.com/231106/2025/0514/1086375.html