Strengthening China-Latin America unity and collaboration to forge a new South-South cooperation​ paradigm

Editor's note: Li Bing is an assistant researcher at the Institute of Latin American Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The Fourth Ministerial Meeting of China-CELAC Forum opened with a grand ceremony in Beijing on May 13, 2025. Marking the tenth anniversary of its establishment, this landmark event not only signifies a milestone in the evolution of China-Latin America relations but also serves as a "pivotal covenant" underscoring the solidarity of developing nations in a transformative global landscape. 

Significant achievements in China-Latin America cooperation​​

Since the inaugural China-CELAC Forum was co-launched by Chinese and Latin American leaders in 2014 to advocate for a China-Latin America community with a shared future, a decade of concerted efforts has yielded substantial outcomes across multiple dimensions.

Over the past decade, mutual political trust has continued to deepen. Political engagement between China and Latin American heads of state has intensified through diversified channels, charting a steady trajectory for bilateral relations. Notably, diplomatic ties have been established or restored with Panama, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras, marking significant progress in China's peaceful reunification endeavors. The total number of 16 pairs of partnerships at various levels has created enabling conditions for mutually beneficial collaboration.

Over the past decade, pragmatic cooperation has continued to expand. Bilateral trade surged from $263.5 billion in 2014 to over $500 billion in 2024, with China's direct investment stock in Latin America exceeding $600 billion. Free trade agreements have been concluded with five Latin American countries, and more than 20 Memorandums of Understanding on Belt and Road cooperation have been signed. Under the framework of high-quality Belt and Road initiatives, over 200 infrastructure projects have been implemented, generating millions of employment opportunities. Landmark projects such as Brazil's Belo Monte Transmission Line Project, Chile's Punta Sierra Wind Farm, Colombia's Bogota Metro Line 1 and Peru's Chancay Port exemplify the integration of Chinese expertise into Latin America's modernization drive. Beyond commerce, cooperation has advanced to sophisticated realms, including industrial chain integration, digital economy synergy, and green transition.

Over the past decade, the friendly momentum has continued to grow. China has established over 50 Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms in Latin America, fueling a surge in enthusiasm for Chinese language learning among youth. Concurrently, Latin American literature, arts, and films have sparked a Latin American wave in China, with "One Hundred Years of Solitude" alone selling over 12 million copies. Interdisciplinary exchanges in education, academia, and media have flourished. Furthermore, global initiatives like the Global Development Initiative (GDI), ​Global Security Initiative (GSI), and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) have garnered widespread support from Latin American nations, offering valuable pathways for addressing global challenges.

Advocating for Global South voices in a turbulent world​

Amid accelerated global shifts and rising unilateralism—undermining multilateral norms and destabilizing economic order through tariffs and trade wars—China-CELAC cooperation has upheld genuine multilateralism. Collaborative efforts include advocating for a Loss and Damage Fund at UN climate summits, defending developing nations' rights in WTO reforms, establishing emergency food security reserves, and promoting the Six-Point Consensus for international peace. Such holistic coordination transcends geopolitical rivalries, emerging as a bulwark for equitable global governance. In the coming years, China and Latin America will foster new growth drivers in clean energy, 5G telecommunications, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence. These initiatives will enable precise alignment with Latin American countries' development priorities, providing robust support for projects such as Argentina's lithium battery industry chain upgrading and climate resilience-building in Caribbean island nations.

Over the past decade, the China-CELAC Forum has evolved into a paragon of South-South cooperation. While some nations pursue isolationist "decoupling" strategies and erect "small yard, high wall" barriers, China-Latin America trade liberalization expands, and joint innovation alliances grow stronger. This stark contrast underscores the enduring relevance of the Latin American adage: "Travel alone, you go fast; travel together, you go far." Looking ahead, China-CELAC collaboration will persist as both a dialogue between civilizations and a microcosm of collective Southern resurgence. Through solidarity in addressing development challenges and innovation in responding to global shifts, the partnership will inject greater stability into a world marked by turbulence.