On May 13, 2025, the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC [Community of Latin American and Caribbean States] Forum was held in Beijing, presided over by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and attended by foreign ministers and representatives of CELAC member states as well as heads of regional organisations.
President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote address.
In the subsequent ministerial meeting, Wang Yi said that this year marks the tenth anniversary of the official launch of the China-CELAC Forum. Ten years ago, President Xi Jinping and Leaders of Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries jointly announced the establishment of the China-CELAC Forum and advocated for building a China-LAC community with a shared future. After a decade of dedicated efforts, the Forum has developed into a mature mechanism and an important platform for equal dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and LAC countries, adding new dimensions to the China-LAC comprehensive cooperative partnership and injecting fresh momentum into the building of a China-LAC community with a shared future.
He added that China and LAC countries are separated by a vast ocean. What binds the two sides together? Not a geopolitical chessboard, nor a game of big power rivalry, but a shared commitment to fairness and justice and a common pursuit of modernisation. China-LAC cooperation rejects bloc confrontation and advocates for openness and win-win results. It has set a new example for building a new type of international relations and injected new impetus into cooperation among the Global South. History and reality have shown that in the face of unilateralism and hegemony, compromise and appeasement offer no way out, and only by standing united can respect be earned. As developing countries and members of the Global South, China and LAC countries should work together to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.
The meeting adopted the Beijing Declaration of the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum and the China-CELAC Joint Action Plan for Cooperation in Key Areas (2025-2027).
Just prior to the meeting, Wang Yi released an article, entitled ‘Planning Together for Development and Revitalisation, Building Together a China-LAC Community with a Shared Future’.
He wrote that in the 10 years since the forum was established, Panama, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras established or resumed diplomatic relations with China. The one-China principle has increasingly become the consensus of regional countries. To date, China has established different types of partnerships with 16 countries in the region, including the China-Cuba community with a shared future and the China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet.
The Global Development Initiative has gained wide support of regional countries, and more than 20 countries have synergised development strategies with China under the Belt and Road cooperation framework. The trade volume between China and LAC countries doubled in the past decade, reaching a historic milestone of US$518.4 billion in 2024.
More than 200 infrastructure projects and multiple industrial capacity cooperation projects built by China have generated more than one million jobs for local people.
China has so far provided LAC countries with 17,000 government scholarships and around 13,000 training opportunities in China, signed 26 cooperation documents on education with 19 regional countries, and opened 68 Confucius Institutes or Classrooms in 26 regional countries.
China-LAC cooperation is a natural choice in line with the prevailing trend of the world. The collective rise of the Global South is a distinctive hallmark of the great transformation in the world. China and LAC countries are important members of the Global South. Increased cooperation between the two sides sends a strong message of the Global South seeking strength through unity and aligns with the dominant trend toward a multipolar world. This not only injects new substance into China-LAC relations but also makes new contributions to a more fair and equitable international order.
China-LAC cooperation is a natural choice to pursue a shared future. China and LAC countries have supported each other in their respective struggles against imperialism and colonialism and in our fight for national liberation. They have also supported each other in exploring development paths befitting their respective national conditions. Deeper cooperation between them has created growth drivers for both sides. During the COVID-19 pandemic, China and LAC countries went all-out supporting each other. History and reality have consistently demonstrated that building a China-LAC community with a shared future is a common endeavour of the willing that is underpinned by concrete actions.
Currently, the world is undergoing changes and turbulence. Peace and development face challenges. The foundational idea underpinning international cooperation is being eroded. Uncertainties and destabilising factors in the international environment are increasing. Most notably, a certain major country, holding a “me-first” world view, is trying to snatch the fruits of development from the Global South, including China and LAC countries, and to hold back or even halt their modernisation process. Pursuing modernisation is a legitimate right of people in all countries, not the privilege of a few. Turning back the wheel of history will find no public support; bullying and power politics will lead to nowhere. In the face of risks and challenges, China and LAC countries should stand on the right side of history and on the side of fairness and justice, safeguard their respective development outcomes, continue to strive on side by side toward modernisation, and build a China-LAC community with a shared future.
“We must defend independence. Without independence, development cannot be achieved, and its outcomes cannot be sustained. LAC countries propose to achieve not only political and sovereign independence but also true economic and cultural independence. China fully agrees and stands ready to work with the LAC side to continue supporting each other firmly in exploring development paths suited to our respective national conditions, oppose all forms of interference in internal affairs and pursue greater democracy in international relations.
“We must safeguard peace and security. China is the only major country that has written the commitment to peaceful development into its Constitution. It has been reaffirmed at multiple CELAC Summits that Latin America and the Caribbean is a Zone of Peace. As forces for international peace, China and LAC countries should practice the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and support peaceful settlement of disputes. We must oppose building one’s own security on the insecurity of others, oppose the threat or use of force and oppose overstretching the concept of security.”
The following articles were originally published on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
We also republish the full texts of the Beijing Declaration and the Joint Action Plan, which were originally published by Tortilla con Sal and www.81.cn respectively. The Joint Action Plan was published in Chinese and has been machine translated.
China and Latin American and Caribbean Countries Hold the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum
May 13 (MFA) — On May 13, 2025, the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum was held in Beijing. The meeting was presided over by Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and attended by foreign ministers and representatives of member states of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), as well as heads of regional organizations.
Wang Yi said that this year marks the tenth anniversary of the official launch of the China-CELAC Forum. Ten years ago, President Xi Jinping and Leaders of Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries jointly announced the establishment of the China-CELAC Forum and advocated for building a China-LAC community with a shared future. After a decade of dedicated efforts, the Forum has developed into a mature mechanism and an important platform for equal dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and LAC countries, adding new dimensions to the China-LAC comprehensive cooperative partnership and injecting fresh momentum into the building of a China-LAC community with a shared future. Over the past decade, the China-LAC strategic mutual trust has increasingly deepened, practical cooperation has consistently expanded, and the momentum of friendship has continued to grow.
Wang Yi stated that China and LAC countries are separated by vast the ocean. What binds the two sides together? Not a geopolitical chessboard, nor a game of big power rivalry, but a shared commitment to fairness and justice and a common pursuit of modernization. China-LAC cooperation rejects bloc confrontation and advocates for openness and win-win results. It has set a new example for building a new type of international relations and injected new impetus into cooperation among the Global South. History and reality have shown that in the face of unilateralism and hegemony, compromise and appeasement offer no way out, and only by standing united can respect be earned. As developing countries and members of the Global South, China and LAC countries should work together to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.
Wang Yi said that President Xi Jinping delivered an important address at the opening ceremony of the meeting this morning, expressing China’s readiness to join hands with LAC countries to launch five programs to jointly seek development and revitalization and build a China-LAC community with a shared future. President Xi reached extensive common understandings with leaders of LAC countries, drawing up a blueprint and providing strategic guidance for the long-term development of China-LAC relations. China is ready to work with LAC countries to ensure the effective implementation of these programs.
First, firmly support each other’s core interests. China firmly supports LAC countries in safeguarding independence, seeking strength through unity, and exploring modernization paths suited to their national conditions. China opposes power politics and interference in internal affairs. China believes that the LAC side will continue to abide by the one-China principle and support China’s legitimate position.
Second, continue to deepen practical economic and trade cooperation. China is ready to enhance cooperation with the LAC countries across various fields within the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative, improve connectivity, and safeguard the stability of industrial and supply chains. China is willing to expand cooperation in emerging sectors to inject new momentum into the LAC region’s economic and social development. China will continue to create more opportunities for expanded cooperation between the companies of the two sides.
Third, actively carry out cooperation on peace and security. China will work with LAC countries to implement the Global Security Initiative, jointly combat all forms of terrorism, deepen exchanges and dialogue on cybersecurity, and actively engage in cooperation on fugitive repatriation, illegal proceeds recovery, and anti-money laundering. China will also provide assistance within its capacity to help LAC countries strengthen disaster management capabilities and improve disaster prevention and mitigation.
Fourth, continue to enhance exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. China will implement the series of measures announced by President Xi Jinping, continue to enhance dialogue among civilizations with LAC countries, and expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges. China will continue to host the China-Latin America and Caribbean Region People-to-People Friendship Forum and the Local Government Cooperation Forum, so as to consolidate the foundation of public support for China-LAC friendship.
Fifth, resolutely defend international fairness and justice. China is ready to work with LAC countries to practice true multilateralism, adhere to the vision of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, and lead global governance reform with the principles of fairness, justice, openness and inclusiveness. China and LAC countries will jointly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, while continuously increasing the representation and voice of developing countries.
Foreign ministers of LAC countries spoke highly of the significant role the China-CELAC Forum has played over the past decade in advancing South-South cooperation and the Forum’s remarkable achievements. They highly commended President Xi Jinping’s new cooperation initiatives toward LAC countries as well as the series of global initiatives he has put forward. They expressed appreciation for China’s consistent commitment to the spirit of equality, openness and partnership in conducting a number of cooperation projects with LAC countries on infrastructure, economy, trade, investment, education, training, scientific and technological innovation, green energy, medical care, health, and disaster prevention and mitigation. These efforts have made important contributions to the integration process and accelerated transition and development in the region. The foreign ministers of LAC countries stated that in the face of global challenges and a complex and evolving international landscape, countries in the region are more eager than ever to seek strength through unity and deepen cooperation with China. They expressed their hope to make full and good use of the China-CELAC Forum as a key platform, seize new opportunities brought by China’s high-quality development, learn from China’s successful experience, and expand all-round cooperation to realize mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. China is a global force that brings peace and stability to the world. LAC countries will remain firmly committed to the one-China principle, jointly safeguard the basic norms governing international relations such as sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs, uphold multilateralism, and work together for a peaceful, just, green, inclusive, and sustainable future. Efforts will bring out the best in the China-CELAC Forum and China-LAC cooperation can accomplish a great deal of achievements.
The meeting adopted the Beijing Declaration of the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum and the China-CELAC Joint Action Plan for Cooperation in Key Areas (2025-2027).
Planning Together for Development and Revitalization, Building Together a China-LAC Community with a Shared Future
May 14 (MFA) — The Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum will be held on May 13 in Beijing. It will be an important meeting on the 10th anniversary of the official launch of the China-CELAC Forum. As the hosting country, China warmly welcomes friends from CELAC member states and organizations of the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region. We look forward to working with all sides to plan together for development and revitalization, and build together a China-LAC community with a shared future.
I
In July 2014, President Xi Jinping proposed the major initiative of building a China-LAC community with a shared future at the leaders’ meeting between China and LAC countries in Brasilia. The leaders also agreed at the meeting to establish the China-CELAC Forum, affirming their political consensus to promote the overall cooperation between the two sides. In January 2015, the successful conclusion of the First Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing marked the inauguration of a cooperation platform for China and all the 33 independent LAC countries, turning a vision into reality.
Over the past 10 years, under the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, China and LAC countries have worked toward the goal of win-win cooperation in line with the principle of acting as equal partners. We have pursued cooperation in a flexible and pragmatic way and in an open and inclusive spirit. Our joint efforts have spurred the dynamic growth of the China-CELAC Forum, and synergized the overall cooperation with bilateral cooperation, allowing China-LAC relations to progress with accelerated speed.
China-LAC relations feature a stronger foundation for mutual trust. The two sides firmly accommodate each other’s core interests and major concerns, and firmly support each other in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity. Panama, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras established or resumed diplomatic relations with China. The one-China principle has increasingly gained the consensus of regional countries. To date, China has established different types of partnerships with 16 countries in the region, including the China-Cuba community with a shared future and the China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet. These all added to the substance of China-LAC relations.
China-LAC relations feature more fruitful cooperation. The Global Development Initiative has gained wide support of regional countries, and more than 20 countries have synergized development strategies with China under the Belt and Road cooperation framework. The trade volume between China and LAC countries doubled in the past decade, reaching a historic milestone of US$518.4 billion in 2024. China stays the second largest trading partner country of the region for years in a row. More than 200 infrastructure projects and multiple industrial capacity cooperation projects built by China have generated more than one million jobs for the local people. China has launched livelihood assistance projects in all countries with which it has diplomatic ties, and Chinese enterprises have actively fulfilled their social responsibilities. These efforts have given a significant boost to local industrialization and economic and social development, and set a fine example of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation between China and LAC countries.
China-LAC relations feature deeper mutual learning between civilizations. LAC countries widely recognize the Global Civilization Initiative, and the two sides have had seven rounds of successful Dialogue Between Civilizations. China has so far provided LAC countries with 17,000 government scholarships and around 13,000 training opportunities in China, signed 26 cooperation documents on education with 19 regional countries, and opened 68 Confucius Institutes or Classrooms in 26 regional countries. Many regional countries have designated the Spring Festival as their public holiday. China has rolled out 240-hour visa-free transit policy for multiple LAC countries. These show that people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two sides have deepened and our peoples’ mutual understanding of and goodwill for each other have been enhanced.
China-LAC relations feature closer coordination in multilateral fora. The two sides firmly uphold the U.N.-centered international system, stay committed to multilateralism underpinned by coordination and cooperation, stand firmly against interference in other countries’ internal affairs, and oppose hegemonism and power politics. China and LAC countries have conducted close communication at the U.N., the G20, APEC and BRICS to advance the reform of the global governance system and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. China and Brazil jointly issued the six-point consensus on political settlement of the Ukraine crisis and launched the group of “friends for peace” at the U.N., gaining extensive support of the international community.
China-LAC relations feature a more multidimensional framework of cooperation. The China-CELAC Forum, with mechanisms of the ministerial meeting, foreign ministers’ dialogue between China and the CELAC Quartet, and meeting of national coordinators, has hosted more than a hundred events, including three ministerial meetings and 31 subforum sessions. It has served as the main channel for the overall cooperation between China and LAC countries. China’s National People’s Congress is a permanent observer of the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN). China is an observer country of the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (FLACSO). China also maintains close contact with the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO) and subregional organizations including the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), the Pacific Alliance (AP), the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP), and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). All these have provided extensive support and multiple drivers for the development of China-LAC relations.
II
The Chinese people often say, “Reviewing the past helps understand the future.” In LAC countries, there is also a famous saying, “History is a prophet with the gaze turned back.” To evaluate the decade-long development of the China-CELAC Forum and the China-LAC relations with a broader vision and a longer-term perspective helps us to better grasp the general trend, strengthen confidence, and work toward the future together. From the significant progress of China-LAC relations over the past decade, we have learned the following:
China-LAC cooperation is a natural choice in line with the prevailing trend of the world. The collective rise of the Global South is a distinctive hallmark of the great transformation in the world. China and LAC countries are important members of the Global South. Increased cooperation between the two sides sends a strong message of the Global South seeking strength through unity and aligns with the dominant trend toward a multipolar world. This not only injects new substance into China-LAC relations but also makes new contributions to a more fair and equitable international order.
China-LAC cooperation is a natural choice to realize modernization in the world. China and LAC countries, with one-fifth of the world’s total land mass, a quarter of the world’s population and a quarter of the global economic output, are the country and region with the greatest growth potential and development vitality. When China and LAC countries come together and collaborate, we can create a supersized trans-Pacific market covering some two billion people. This will provide sustained momentum for our respective development and revitalization as well as confidence and strength to face any blackmail or suppression.
China-LAC cooperation is a natural choice to safeguard fairness and justice for humanity. China advocates extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefit, which is the antithesis of coercion and bullying. China’s investment in the LAC region has no political strings; such investment meets the need of the LAC side and helps empower their development. By contrast, what a certain major power does in the LAC region only disempowers the region. Who is a trustworthy friend for LAC countries? And who is their reliable long-term partner? The answer is crystal clear.
China-LAC cooperation is a natural choice to pursue a shared future. China and LAC countries have supported each other in our respective struggle against imperialism and colonialism and in our fight for national liberation. We have also supported each other in exploring development paths befitting our respective national conditions. Deeper cooperation between us has created growth drivers for both sides. During the COVID-19 pandemic, China and LAC countries went all-out supporting each other. History and reality have consistently demonstrated that building a China-LAC community with a shared future is a common endeavor of the willing that is underpinned by concrete actions.
III
Currently, the world is undergoing changes and turbulence. Peace and development faces challenges. The foundational idea underpinning international cooperation is being eroded. Uncertainties and destabilizing factors in the international environment are increasing. Most notably, a certain major country, holding a “me-first” world view, is trying to snatch the fruits of development from the Global South, including China and LAC countries, and to hold back or even halt our modernization process. Pursuing modernization is a legitimate right of people in all countries, not the privilege of a few. Turning back the wheel of history will find no public support; bullying and power politics will lead to nowhere. In the face of risks and challenges, China and LAC countries should stand on the right side of history and on the side of fairness and justice, safeguard our respective development outcomes, continue to strive on side by side toward modernization, and build a China-LAC community with a shared future.
We must defend independence. Without independence, development cannot be achieved and its outcomes cannot be sustained. LAC countries propose to achieve not only political and sovereign independence but also true economic and cultural independence. China fully agrees and stands ready to work with the LAC side to continue supporting each other firmly in exploring development paths suited to our respective national conditions, oppose all forms of interference in internal affairs and pursue greater democracy in international relations.
We must safeguard peace and security. China is the only major country that has written the commitment to peaceful development into its Constitution. It has been reaffirmed at multiple CELAC Summits that Latin America and the Caribbean is a Zone of Peace. As forces for international peace, China and LAC countries should practice the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and support peaceful settlement of disputes. We must oppose building one’s own security on the insecurity of others, oppose the threat or use of force and oppose overstretching the concept of security.
We must realize development and revitalization. Modernization is the common aspiration and pursuit of the peoples of China and LAC countries. The two sides need to further synergize development strategies, strengthen top-level design, and provide each other with drivers of development. We need to weave a tighter network of connectivity and further facilitate trade and investment so as to foster a large China-LAC market. We need to deepen industrial capacity cooperation, jointly safeguard the stability of industrial and supply chains, strengthen cooperation in high-tech and emerging areas as well as talent cultivation to achieve leapfrog development together. China will also implement more “small and beautiful” livelihood projects to enhance people’s sense of gain.
We must uphold multilateralism. Multilateralism is the cornerstone of the post-war international order. China and LAC countries need to practice true multilateralism, firmly safeguard the international system with the U.N. at its core and the international order underpinned by international law, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries. We need to jointly reject unilateralism and uphold the WTO-centered multilateral trading system. We need to jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and inject more stability and positivity into global development.
We must deepen solidarity and cooperation. CELAC is committed to the vision of the great unity of people in the LAC region. The CELAC Summit in Havana adopted a Special Declaration on the Establishment of the China-CELAC Forum. The Forum embodies the friendship between the two sides. We should work for its better development so that it can provide greater driving force for China-LAC relations and integration in the LAC region.
As a proverb in the LAC countries says, “United, we are invincible.” In China, we also have an old saying, “All must row to move a big boat.” The Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum is an opportunity to solidify our commitment to development, dedication to cooperation and bond of friendship, and to make new progress in building a China-LAC community with a shared future.
Beijing Declaration of the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum
May 15 (Tortilla Con Sal) — 1. The Member States of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the People’s Republic of China have met under the premise of “Planning Together for Development and Revitalization, Jointly Building a China-LAC Community with a Shared Future,” in Beijing on May 13, 2025, for the IV Ministerial Meeting of the CELAC-China Forum (CCF), where we exchanged views with the purpose of reaffirming our commitment to strengthening political dialogue, cooperation and mutual understanding.
2. We appreciate the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Heads of State and Government Gustavo Petro of the Republic of Colombia, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of the Federative Republic of Brazil, and Gabriel Boric Font of the Republic of Chile.
3. We celebrate the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the CELAC-China Forum. Over the past ten years, the two sides have achieved fruitful results in bi-regional cooperation, based on the principles of sovereign equality, respect, pluralism, openness, and mutual benefit, thanks to joint efforts and South-South cooperation. In this context of multiple relations with different regions of the world, we reiterate our willingness, with openness and inclusion, to continue working to consolidate the CELAC-China Forum as a platform for expanding bi-regional cooperation between Latin America and the Caribbean and the People’s Republic of China.
4. We believe that, in a context of rapid global change, the FCC has become one of the most relevant platforms for strengthening cooperation between CELAC members and China. We highlight the supportive role of the countries of the Global South and reaffirm our intention to coordinate efforts to advance modernization and sustainable development, linking the strengths and capabilities of our states.
5. We consider the possibilities raised in the “CELAC-China Joint Action Plan for Cooperation in Key Areas (2025-2027)” and express our willingness to analyze them based on our shared principles, with a view to subsequently addressing them in a coordinated manner on issues of interest to the parties involved.
6. We reiterate our willingness to cooperate in key areas to address global challenges, acting in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law. We affirm that regional and multilateral cooperation is essential for achieving sustainable, inclusive, and balanced development in its economic, social, and environmental dimensions.
7. We emphasize that sustainable development is a shared aspiration of the peoples of the world and express our willingness to promote exchanges between governments to deepen mutual learning in areas such as infrastructure, connectivity, scientific and technological innovation, energy transition, and poverty reduction. Both parties reaffirm their commitment to supporting each other in exploring development models aligned with the characteristics and needs of their respective societies.
8. The parties recognize their mutual contributions to safeguarding world peace, strengthening friendship and cooperation, and promoting common development at the global level. We reiterate our recognition of the proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace and of the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean.
9. We note several initiatives, in which some States participate, such as the launch of the Global Partnership against Hunger and Poverty, proposed by Brazil, as well as the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), proposed by China, to which some States are party.
10. We value the importance of continuing to advance initiatives that promote regional integration, the development of sustainable infrastructure, connectivity, and adequate conditions for the implementation of cooperation projects. We recognize the contributions of the parties involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, which has supported economic and social development in some areas of both regions.
11. We agree on the importance of upholding international law and promoting the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. We are committed to the principles of equality among nations, mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. We support the peaceful settlement of differences, disputes, and conflicts, respect non-interference in the internal affairs of other States, oppose the threat or use of force in international relations and the imposition of unilateral coercive measures, and are committed to promoting a more democratic international order. The CELAC member states that maintain diplomatic relations with China reaffirm their commitment to the One China Principle.
12. We reiterate the urgency of reforming global governance institutions to adapt them to the realities of the 21st century. We recognize the need to reform the United Nations Security Council with a view to making it more representative, democratic, and effective, enabling its composition to respond more adequately to global challenges and strengthening the representation and voice of developing countries, including those in Latin America and the Caribbean. Reform of the United Nations Security Council must adhere to democratic consultation.
13. China notes the position of the LAC countries that the time has come for a national of a Latin American and Caribbean country to assume the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations, considering that of the nine Secretaries-General of the UN to date, only one has been from the region.
14. We advocate for a peaceful world and an inclusive and mutually beneficial economic globalization. In this regard, we underline the need for global economic governance to address the shared priorities of all nations, particularly those of developing countries. We reaffirm our support for a fair, transparent, and rules-based multilateral trading system. [1]
15. We call for reform of the international financial system to make it more efficient, more equitable, better aligned with today’s world, and capable of responding to the challenges facing developing countries, including China and Latin America and the Caribbean, in closing the financing gap to meet international commitments.
16. Through economic globalization, we seek to deepen cooperation between Latin America and the Caribbean and the People’s Republic of China, improving connectivity. We will work to increase economic security and respond to the challenges of financing for development.
17. We call on all parties to consider acceding to international instruments on climate change, respecting the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, without using these instruments to establish new trade barriers. The specific conditions of developing countries, including those in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and landlocked countries, must be taken into account.
18. We welcome the holding of the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 30) in the Latin American and Caribbean region, which will take place in Belém, Brazil, from 10 to 21 November 2025. This will provide an opportunity to strengthen our collective efforts in the fight against climate change. In this context, we reiterate our commitment to multilateralism, international cooperation, and the strengthening of all pillars of the climate regime. We also underline the importance of fully operationalizing and adequately capitalizing the climate-related funds established at previous COPs, including the Loss and Damage Fund and the Green Climate Fund, to support developing countries’ efforts to address the impacts of climate change and advance a just and equitable transition.
19. We welcome the holding of the Second International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development +20 (ICARRD +20) in Cartagena, Colombia. This conference, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), will promote South-South cooperation and also consider experiences, including China’s rural revitalization strategy.
20. We note the adoption and opening for signature of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), within the framework of the United Nations, as well as Chile’s offer to host the Agreement’s secretariat in the city of Valparaíso.
21. We affirm that the governance of emerging and transformative technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), must have the United Nations at its center to ensure inclusive and legitimate discussions.
22. We commit to promoting human rights, including equality for all people, the empowerment of all women and girls, closing gender gaps, and protecting the rights of children, older persons, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, rural communities, peoples of African descent, and people in vulnerable situations, thus contributing to equality, development, and global peace.
23. We condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reject its unilateral association with any religion, race, ethnicity, or nationality. We warn against the misuse of counterterrorism efforts for purposes incompatible with international law and reaffirm our commitment to international cooperation in counterterrorism measures.
24. We believe that integrity is a shared value and that preventing and combating transnational organized crime and crimes related to drug and chemical precursor trafficking, the illegal arms trade, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, corruption, and illegal mining, among others, are essential to promoting justice, economic growth, and protecting the rule of law. We commit to strengthening cooperation, including judicial and law enforcement collaboration, the exchange of best practices, and joint action in this area, in accordance with relevant international agreements.
25. We reaffirm our strong support for the stability of the Republic of Haiti and our commitment to contribute decisively, within our respective capacities, to Haiti’s efforts, together with the international community and the United Nations, to re-establish a human security environment conducive to the normalization of its political, economic, and social situation through a comprehensive development approach.
26. We thank regional organizations such as the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (PARLATINO), the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA), and the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (FLACSO) for their participation in this meeting. China reiterates its willingness to engage in dialogue and cooperation with these and other regional bodies, in consensus with the CELAC member states, with the aim of building a network of open, inclusive, and comprehensive cooperation between Latin America and the Caribbean and the People’s Republic of China.
27. We express satisfaction with the positive results of this meeting. The CELAC member states thank the People’s Republic of China for its preparations. China, in turn, expresses its appreciation to the CELAC pro tempore presidencies, Honduras and Colombia, for facilitating the participation of the member states.
28. We agreed to maintain communication regarding the convening of the next FCC meeting in 2028.
* The Argentine Republic was absent from the Ministerial Plenary at the Fourth Meeting of the CELAC-China Forum and did not participate in the adoption of these documents.
[1] The Government of the Republic of Costa Rica dissociates itself from this paragraph.
China-CELAC Joint Action Plan for Cooperation in Key Areas (2025-2027)
May 13 (81.cn) — On May 13, 2025, the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-Latin America and Caribbean Community (CELAC) Forum was held in Beijing. In order to deepen the development of the Forum, the People’s Republic of China and the member states of CELAC (hereinafter referred to as “the two parties”) jointly formulated this joint action plan, the specific contents of which are as follows:
Article 1: Equality and mutual trust to consolidate China-Latin America political relations
1. Strengthen high-level exchanges, promote dialogue and coordination between the two sides on major international and regional issues, and jointly safeguard the interests of the global South.
2. Expand personnel exchanges at all levels between the two sides and strengthen experience sharing in key areas.
3. Both sides recognize the importance of exchanges between legislative bodies and agree that relevant bodies should strengthen mutual learning of experience within the scope of their powers.
4. The two sides agreed to discuss the existing mechanism arrangements based on the different national conditions and positions of the member states, so as to strengthen the construction of the forum and actively explore ways to enhance the level of political coordination and high-level dialogue.
Article 2 Mutual benefit and win-win situation, deepening the docking of development strategies
1. Within the domestic legal framework of each country, based on cooperation initiatives and mechanisms such as the Global Development Initiative proposed by China, regularly exchange information on development strategies and share experiences to tap the potential for cooperation between the two sides.
II. Economic, Trade and Investment
(1) Strengthen coordination under the WTO framework and jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system based on fair, reasonable and transparent rules.
(II) Continue to hold the China-Latin America Industrial Investment Cooperation Seminar to explore new opportunities for capacity investment between the two sides.
(III) Promote thematic consultations on trade and investment facilitation.
(IV) Continue to hold the China-Latin America Entrepreneurs Summit in turn between China and CELAC member states. Continue to hold the China-Latin America Investment and Cooperation High-level Forum, the China-Caribbean Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum, and the China-Latin America Private Economy Cooperation Forum.
(5) The two sides are willing to study initiatives on China-Latin America economic innovation.
(6) The two sides are willing to promote the establishment of a cooperation mechanism, resolve trade differences through constructive dialogue, properly manage trade frictions, and jointly respond to unilateral coercive measures that affect the economy, trade and investment.
3. Finance
1. Explore the possibility of deepening financing cooperation between China and Latin America in various fields.
(II) Promote closer dialogue and cooperation between China and Latin American countries and regional development banks, study the establishment of an equity investment cooperation fund, and encourage various financial institutions of both sides to further strengthen investment and financing cooperation in areas such as import and export credit and overseas investment.
(III) Support the holding of a “Panda Bonds” seminar under the framework of the China-Latin America Forum in 2025 to promote information exchange between the China-Latin America markets.
IV. Infrastructure
1. Continue to hold the China-Latin America Infrastructure Cooperation Forum.
(II) Strengthen cooperation on China-Latin America infrastructure projects and actively explore cooperation opportunities.
(3) Deepen cooperation in railway operation management training.
(IV) Actively enhance the level of China-Latin America cooperation in transportation infrastructure and strengthen cooperation in areas such as roads, railways, bridges, ports and tunnels.
(V) Study the joint construction of friendly ports based on friendly cities to promote the facilitation of sea transportation of passengers and cargo; encourage and support airlines to increase routes and flights to further improve the level of air connectivity.
V. Agriculture and Food Security
1. Both sides are willing to deepen cooperation in agricultural product trade.
(II) The two sides are willing to cooperate in the field of food security, strengthen exchanges on food security policies, regulations and monitoring experiences around the goal of the Global Alliance to Fight Hunger and Poverty; support the two sides’ institutions to carry out special cooperation in accordance with the CELAC 2030 Food Security Plan, continue to strengthen cooperation in the China-FAO South-South Cooperation Latin American region, and carry out trilateral cooperation in the field of agriculture.
(III) Expand the training of agricultural technical personnel and capacity building of professional farmers on both sides.
4. Support the holding of the Fourth China-Latin America Agriculture Ministers’ Forum in 2027 or 2028.
(V) Both sides encourage their respective agricultural enterprises to participate in important agricultural exhibitions held by the other side, such as the China International Agricultural Products Trade Fair, the China Grain Trade Conference, etc.
(VI) Promote joint research and development of innovative agricultural technologies between enterprises and scientific research centers of both sides.
(VII) Promote the exchange of experience in the modernization and integrated development of family agriculture between the two sides, with a focus on technological upgrading and agricultural ecological transformation.
VI. Industry and Information Technology
(I) Actively explore opportunities for cooperation in industrial development and industrial policies between the two sides, focus on cooperation in areas such as equipment manufacturing, green and low-carbon industries, and industrial chain supply chains, and encourage cooperation in industrial parks between the two sides.
(II) Continue to hold high-level seminars on China-Latin America industrial cooperation.
(III) Promote cooperation between the two sides in the fields of communication equipment, big data, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, smart cities, Internet Plus, artificial intelligence applications, radio spectrum management, and educational informatization, and explore the establishment of joint laboratories.
(IV) Strengthen policy exchanges and cooperation on the development of small, medium and micro enterprises.
VII. Energy Resources
(I) Explore investment opportunities in energy transformation and advanced energy storage technology cooperation between the two sides, and help both sides jointly achieve green and low-carbon energy transformation.
2. Deepen exchanges on sustainable energy transformation practices between the two sides.
(3) Support joint research and development and technology exchange between the two sides.
(IV) Deepen practical cooperation in multiple dimensions such as earth science research, prevention and control of geological disasters, and strengthen the joint training of geoscience talents between China and CELAC.
8. Customs, Taxation, Standardization, and Personnel Movement
(I) Study the expansion of the scope of the mutual recognition agreement on Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) between China and CELAC member states, improve the level of customs clearance facilitation and promote bilateral trade.
(II) Actively explore cooperation and exchange mechanisms in key areas of standardization between the two sides.
(III) Promote the holding of training courses on standardization capacity building.
(4) Both sides expressed their willingness to strengthen consular relations and consular cooperation.
Article 3 Mutual learning among civilizations to consolidate the foundation of friendly public opinion
1. Civilization Exchange
1. To promote exchanges and visits between students, researchers and artists of both sides.
(II) Actively explore the possibility of holding a China-Latin America Civilization Dialogue Conference.
2. Cultural and artistic exchanges
1. Strengthen exchanges in the field of culture and art, and promote institutionalized cooperation between the cultural and art institutions of both sides.
2. China and Latin America will actively carry out bilateral and multilateral activities such as cultural festivals, carnivals, and cultural tours, and strengthen publicity and reporting on relevant activities. At the beginning of each year, a list of cultural activities and initiatives of interest to both sides will be published.
(III) Strengthen the joint production of audio-visual products and publications between the two sides.
4. Strengthen international cooperation in combating illicit trafficking of cultural property.
(V) Promote the exchange of best practices in the digitization of museums and ancient books.
III. Education, Youth, and Think Tanks
1. Support the holding of the China-Latin America Education Development Forum focusing on vocational education in 2025.
(II) Encourage cooperation between the two schools and enterprises, and promote exchanges between teachers and students, academic seminars, talent training, joint scientific research and think tank exchanges.
3. Expand the number of scholarships and mutual training programs, and strengthen publicity and promotion.
4. Support the establishment of a China-Latin America and the Caribbean development knowledge network.
(V) Actively promote the dissemination of the languages and cultures of both sides in each other’s universities and cultural institutions.
(6) Organize youth exchange activities such as the China-Latin America Youth Development Forum.
7. Strengthen language and cultural exchanges, with special attention to rural areas and indigenous groups.
8. Consider continuing to hold the China-Latin America Think Tank Forum and hosting the third China-CELAC High-Level Academic Forum in 2025.
IV. People-to-People Friendship
1. Promote friendly exchanges among the people and continue to hold the China-Latin America People’s Friendship Forum. Explore the establishment of a mechanism for exchanges between local governments of China and Latin America and continue to hold the China-Latin America Local Government Cooperation Forum.
2. Organize the China-Latin America Tourism Dialogue to discuss opportunities for tourism cooperation and jointly develop tourism products.
(3) Deepen exchanges and cooperation in the field of sports, promote closer ties between the sports organizations of both sides, and support friendly visits between athletes, coaches and sports managers.
(iv) Promote cooperation and exchange on public policies, with a focus on increasing women’s participation in decision-making processes at all levels, and promoting women’s empowerment and all-round development.
5. Media, Communications, Film, Television and Publishing
1. The two sides will explore ways and means to strengthen media and communications cooperation.
(2) The two sides will strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of film and television.
VI. Intellectual Property
Both sides are willing to strengthen practical cooperation in intellectual property departments.
Article 4: Build consensus and jointly address global challenges
I. Strengthening Global Security and Cybersecurity Cooperation
1. Explore opportunities for cooperation in counter-terrorism. The two sides will combat all forms and manifestations of terrorism and its financing, and support CELAC member states in enhancing their counter-terrorism capacity building. The two sides are willing to deepen dialogue and cooperation on combating all types of transnational organized crime.
(II) Deepen exchanges and dialogues on cyber security between China and Latin America, promote the establishment of a liaison mechanism between the national Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) of both sides, carry out practical cooperation in cross-border incident handling, information and experience sharing, and enhance the ability to coordinate responses to cyber security emergencies.
II. Anti-corruption Cooperation
1. Hold China-Caribbean anti-corruption law enforcement cooperation meetings in due course.
(II) Both sides are willing to evaluate cooperation in the fields of anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, combating illegal capital flows and asset recovery in accordance with their respective domestic laws and the United Nations Convention against Corruption. Actively study and negotiate the signing of law enforcement and judicial cooperation agreements such as the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.
(3) Deepen coordination and cooperation in multilateral anti-corruption forums.
III. Police and Law Enforcement Cooperation
1. On the basis of respecting each other’s domestic laws and practices, expand channels for the police departments of both sides to participate in each other’s training programs and mutual law enforcement assistance.
2. Promote experience exchange and training in combating wildlife smuggling, illegal mining and precious metals trade, human trafficking, smuggled immigrants, illegal arms trade and other areas.
3. Explore cooperation models between China and Latin America in combating the production, consumption and trafficking of controlled drugs and promote bilateral exchanges to effectively implement relevant international conventions.
IV. Poverty Eradication and Development Cooperation
1. Organize training for poverty reduction professionals.
(ii) Regularly convene the China-Latin America Poverty Reduction and Development Forum to exchange best practices.
(3) Strengthen the construction of the China-Caribbean Development Center and support the sustainable development of Caribbean countries.
V. Cooperation on Climate Change and Environmental Protection
1. China is willing to carry out international zero-carbon island cooperation with CELAC countries.
2. Promote joint research on measures to address climate change.
(III) Explore the potential for cooperation in environmental policies, pollution prevention, bioeconomy, climate change response, biodiversity, personnel training and capacity building, and jointly promote low-carbon sustainable development. Explore the possibility of practical cooperation in the fields of marine science and technology, ecosystem restoration, marine observation and forecasting, disaster prevention and mitigation, integrated marine management, blue economy and sustainable marine economy.
(iv) Carry out scientific research cooperation in Antarctica, and explore the possibility of joint Antarctic scientific research through the exchange of scientific researchers and the mutual use of research facilities and bases.
VI. Integrated Disaster Risk Management and Resilience Building
1. Deepen exchanges on comprehensive disaster risk management, and strengthen cooperation in the fields of disaster reduction and prevention, disaster monitoring and early warning, risk assessment, emergency preparedness, rescue capacity building and post-disaster reconstruction based on the China-Latin America Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Cooperation Mechanism. Enhance disaster resilience.
(ii) Explore financial cooperation options for disaster prevention and mitigation, including providing assistance to the best of our ability through channels such as the Climate Adaptation and Natural Disasters Comprehensive Response Fund under the CELAC framework.
(3) Both sides are willing to explore the feasibility of holding a thematic conference on sustainable cities (digital cities, sponge cities, etc.).
VII. Cooperation in Scientific and Technological Innovation
1. Strengthen the establishment of intergovernmental scientific and technological innovation cooperation mechanisms, promote exchanges and visits between scientific researchers, and promote joint technological research that meets the actual needs of member states and reflects common interests.
2. Organize a new China-Latin America Science and Technology Innovation Forum.
(III) Explore the establishment of a training program for young Chinese and Latin American scientists.
(iv) Explore the joint construction of laboratories and support young scientists from Latin America and the Caribbean to carry out short-term scientific research in China.
(V) Strengthen the construction of China-Latin America Technology Transfer Center.
(vi) Explore the possibility of cooperation in the field of sustainable development research, such as biological improvement and sustainable soil utilization.
7. Deepen exchanges on the construction of the China-Latin America Sustainable Food Innovation Center.
(8) Strengthen cooperation in the field of aerospace. Based on the priorities and capabilities of each country, jointly hold the China-Latin America Beidou Cooperation Forum and jointly build the China-Latin America Beidou Application Cooperation and Development Center.
(IX) The China-Latin America Space Cooperation Forum will continue to be held if all parties are willing and conditions permit.
8. Cooperation on Digital Technology
1. In response to the needs of various countries, explore possible cooperation to enhance 5G network coverage and the level of digital application in various fields.
(II) Sharing AI governance experience. The Global AI Governance Initiative and the Global Digital Compact proposed by China have attracted attention from all parties. We are willing to conduct exchanges based on the principles of the initiative and promote the establishment of a global framework and standards under broad consensus. All parties also recognize the importance of inclusive access to AI.
(III) Encourage active dialogue and cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence, and support the promotion of technological progress and capacity building in developing countries. China is willing to invite CELAC member states to participate in the AI capacity building workshop.
4. We will continue to hold the China-Latin America Digital Technology Cooperation Forum and prepare for the China-Latin America Internet Development and Cooperation Forum.
5. Explore opportunities for strengthening cooperation in digital infrastructure.
(6) Carry out digital talent training courses and explore the establishment of a China-Latin America e-commerce cooperation dialogue mechanism.
IX. Health Cooperation
1. Strengthen knowledge sharing and exchange of best practices in the health sector, with a focus on advances in medical technology, hospital management, and the prevention, control and treatment of diseases such as infectious diseases.
(2) Promote cooperation between the medical institutions of both sides and facilitate the provision of medical assistance when necessary.
3. Organize seminars on traditional medicine.
(IV) Explore cooperation in traditional medicine between China and Latin America within feasible scope.
(V) We are willing to strengthen experience exchange, promote access to high-quality, effective, safe and affordable medicines (including biologics and biosimilars), and advance local production of high-quality medical products.
Article 5 Implementation
1. The areas of cooperation described in this Plan are not exclusive.
2. The parties may implement this plan in accordance with the principles of flexibility and voluntariness. It will not affect any bilateral cooperation projects that have been agreed upon, nor will it replace any bilateral or multilateral agreements, decisions or commitments that have been agreed upon. All activities will be decided based on the financial and human resources of the government departments of the participating parties and after joint consultation.
3. In the implementation of this Action Plan, and on the premise of maintaining Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace, due consideration will be given to the challenges and needs faced by the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, small island developing States and middle-income countries among the CELAC member states, as well as countries in or emerging from conflict.
4. CELAC welcomes the initiatives proposed by the People’s Republic of China for the implementation of this Plan, as detailed in the Annex.
appendix
1. Starting from 2025, China will invite 300 political party officials from CELAC member states to visit China every year and continue to hold the China-Latin America Political Parties Forum.
2. The Chinese government is willing to provide Latin American countries with credit funds equivalent to RMB 66 billion to provide support for practical cooperation between China and Latin America in various fields.
3. China will provide 3,500 Chinese government scholarships and 10,000 training opportunities in China to CELAC member states from 2025 to 2027.
Fourth, support CELAC member states in carrying out Chinese education, support the two sides’ institutions to jointly run Confucius Institutes (classrooms), and establish new Chinese workshops, Chinese + vocational skills development centers, local teacher training centers, etc. From 2025 to 2027, China will provide 500 international Chinese teacher scholarships and 1,000 “Chinese Bridge” summer (winter) camp group places to CELAC member states, and provide 30,000 Chinese textbooks and teaching readers.
5. Strengthen cooperation in the field of news media. China is willing to invite more journalists from CELAC member states to visit China for short-term or medium-term visits, provide convenience for Latin American media journalists to stay in China, and provide 500 training opportunities for scholars, media and self-media from CELAC member states in China in the next three years.
6. China will provide 300 training opportunities for technical personnel in poverty reduction to CELAC member states in the next three years.
7. China will carry out 300 “small but beautiful” people’s livelihood assistance projects in Latin America and the Caribbean in the next three years.
8. Support the holding of the “China-Latin America Love” Chinese film and television program exhibition. Strive to complete the translation of 10 excellent TV series or excellent audio-visual programs every year in the next three years. Support the translation of classic works.
2 thoughts on “China and LAC countries bound by a shared commitment to justice and a common pursuit of modernisation”