Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized China's commitment to enhancing cooperation and aligning development strategies more closely with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) on Tuesday when he attended the eighth round of dialogue between China and the CELAC at the UN headquarters in New York.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, praised CELAC for its recent achievements in strengthening dialogue and promoting regional and international cooperation, highlighting its growing influence as a key integration organization in the Western Hemisphere. He stressed that Latin America and the Caribbean are vital components of the "Global South" and important contributors to global governance.

Wang noted the ongoing deepening of political trust and the expansion of practical cooperation between China and the region, pointing out that China has consistently been the second-largest trading partner for Latin America and the Caribbean. He highlighted that 22 countries have joined the high-quality Belt and Road Initiative, with several landmark projects progressing steadily.

The China-CELAC Forum, which has now been operational for 10 years, plays a crucial role in advancing bilateral relations and fostering sustainable development. Wang urged both sides to reflect on their achievements over the past decade and to plan future cooperation, aiming to strengthen political trust and deepen mutual benefit. 

He called the 10th anniversary a significant milestone, encouraging both parties to design a new cooperation agenda that enhances dialogue and promotes people-to-people exchanges, setting a new foundation for future collaboration.

CELAC member states highly praised the fruitful results of China-CELAC cooperation and appreciated China's positive contributions to promoting this partnership and assisting CELAC countries in sustainable development. 

They agreed that both sides should seize the opportunity of the 10th anniversary of the forum to design the next phase of cooperation, deepen dialogue and enhance people-to-people exchanges, establishing a new starting point for future collaboration.