Embedded below is the video (Chinese with Spanish and English subtitles) of President Xi Jinping’s virtual address at the 6th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), held in Mexico City on 19 September 2021. Beneath the video is the transcript.
Dear colleagues and friends,
I wish to extend my warm congratulations on the opening of the Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. I also wish to take this opportunity to congratulate you, President López, and the Mexican people, on the 200th anniversary of the consummation of Mexico’s independence.
Ten years ago, CELAC came into being in response to Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries’ efforts to pursue independence and strength through unity. This is a milestone in promoting integration in your region.
Over the past decade, CELAC has played an important role in upholding peace and stability and promoting common development in the region.
Over the past two years, Mexico has fulfilled its responsibilities as the pro tempore president, led CELAC in building consensus and enhancing cooperation, and taken CELAC to a new stage in its development. We salute what you have achieved.
China values its relations with CELAC and supports CELAC in bringing countries in the region together to boost cooperation and meet challenges.
In July 2014, I and leaders of LAC countries jointly announced the establishment of the China-CELAC Forum, opening a new way of promoting cooperation between China and LAC countries as a whole. Seven years on, the China-CELAC Forum has made big strides and become a primary platform that brings together people who care about our relations from all sectors on both sides, contributing significantly to deepening China-LAC relations.
Having gone through the test of a changing world, the China-LAC relationship has entered a new era, featuring equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness, and benefits for the people. China-LAC friendship has gone from strength to strength and enjoys great public support.
Since last year, facing the sudden onslaught of Covid-19, China and LAC countries have stood together in this trying time and carried out anti-Covid cooperation across the board. Currently, given the continued expansion of the pandemic, China will continue to provide support to the countries of the region, in order to contribute to swift victory over the pandemic and to restore the region’s socio-economic development.
China is ready to work together with the LAC countries to overcome difficulties, create opportunities and jointly promote a China-LAC community with a shared future.
Thank you.
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