CHINA ANNOUNCES FORUM WITH CELAC MEMBERS: LULA, PETRO, BORIC CONFIRMED
This article by Sandra Hernández García appeared in the May 11, 2025 edition of La Jornada, Mexico’s premier leftist daily newspaper.
BEIJING – After stressing that China has no hidden agenda regarding Latin America, Chinese authorities detailed the holding of the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Forum, which will be led by President Xi Jinping.
The presidents of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; Colombia, Gustavo Petro; and Chile, Gabriel Boric, have also confirmed their participation.
Beijing will host the meeting, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, and whose objective is to present a cooperation plan between China and Latin America for the next three years, as well as the signing of a declaration in “pursuit of peace, development, and cooperation” between the two regions.
At a press conference, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Miao Deyu explained that the aim is to promote scientific innovation, trade and investment, finance, infrastructure, agriculture, the food industry, information technology, energy and minerals, and highway cooperation.
“China has single-handedly championed openness and inclusion. We have no hidden agendas or selfish interests, as can be seen from the accusations against certain countries,” he said, highlighting that the Asian giant remains the second-largest trading partner of Latin America and the Caribbean, and the largest trading partner of Brazil, Peru, and Uruguay.
In total, a historic figure of $500 billion has been reached in trade relations; and more than 200 infrastructure projects have been developed, generating more than one million jobs, primarily benefiting low-income countries. “These facts demonstrate that China is a key factor in enabling large countries to achieve industrialization.”
The vice minister mentioned that 2025 marks the tenth anniversary of the official rapprochement, which is of great significance to China.
“The people of Latin America and the Caribbean want to build their own homes, not be someone else’s backyard. Chinese civilization is characterized by peace and never seeks hegemony. In China-CELAC cooperation, there is only mutual support, not geopolitical calculations: only win-win cooperation.”
Following threats of increased tariffs from the United States, the official said China opposes unilateralism and the politicization of economic and trade relations; he emphasized that the Asian country represents a “super-large” market of more than 2 billion people.
“It is our greatest guarantee; it will not be intimidated by any blackmail, and it is an inexhaustible driving force for our development and revitalization. Well-being is the fundamental objective of our relations,” said the official, who emphasized that they oppose economic intimidation.
In his speech, he stated that international affairs should be discussed by all countries on an equal footing, “no one is superior to the other,” and he emphasized that China does not seek excessive influence and will never attack third parties.