Editor's note: Lu Daxin is a special commentator on international affairs for CGTN. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Forum. On May 13, the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum was successfully held in Beijing. It was a milestone in the relationship between China and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, drawing widespread attention across the globe.

Mutual commitment

The Chinese government attached great importance to this meeting. Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony and hosted a banquet for the LAC leaders and delegates. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi presided over the plenary session and met with LAC foreign ministers. Representatives from 58 member units of the Chinese Committee of the Follow-up Actions of the China-CELAC Forum also attended the meeting.

The LAC side showed enthusiasm for the meeting as well. Twenty-eight CELAC member states and six regional organizations sent delegations to the meeting. Among them, Gustavo Petro, president of Colombia – CELAC's rotating chair, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Chilean President Gabriel Boric and Dilma Rousseff, president of the New Development Bank, addressed the opening ceremony respectively. President Yamandú Orsi of Uruguay – the country that will hold CELAC's next rotating presidency – sent a congratulatory message.

Beyond bilateral relations

The meeting captured wide media attention. Hundreds of Chinese and foreign journalists, including many from LAC countries, covered the meeting on-site, spreading the "China-LAC voice" and sharing "China-LAC moments" with the world.

International media paid close attention to President Xi's attendance at the opening ceremony and his keynote speech. Terms such as "a China-LAC community with a shared future" and "the Global South" became catch phrases in media reports. Statements like "There are no winners in tariff wars or trade wars" and "bullying and hegemonism will only lead to self-isolation" were widely cited. Foreign media applauded President Xi's call for safeguarding multilateralism and free trade, commenting that such propositions demonstrated the global vision.

Bright future ahead

Xi announced in his speech that China stands ready to "join hands with LAC partners to launch five programs that advance shared development and revitalization, and contribute to a China-LAC community with a shared future." These programs include 20 measures to support the development of LAC countries.

The meeting adopted the "China-CELAC Joint Action Plan for Cooperation in Key Areas (2025-2027)," proposing more than 100 cooperation projects to be implemented by both sides in the next three years. Among them, infrastructure cooperation received most attention, reflecting the affirmation of existing cooperation and the expectation of further joint endeavors. Latin American media hailed the fact that China is not only providing aid but also helping LAC partners in achieving self-sustaining development. 

Besides the traditional fields, China and LAC countries are expanding cooperation in emerging areas, as widely reported on their cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and in such fields as artificial intelligence, clean energy, agriculture and food, energy and mineral resources, the digital economy and 5G communication. It will further enrich the essence of China-LAC cooperation and provide greater momentum for high-quality development on both sides.

Shared aspiration of the two peoples

A new survey conducted by CGTN and several think tanks and universities in LAC countries shows that 95 percent of Latin American respondents believe China is a successful country with economic and technological strength. More than 85 percent of respondents hold a favorable view of China, 80 percent positively evaluate the BRI's economic and social impact on the LAC region, 90 percent believe that Chinese investment has contributed to local economic and social development, and 89 percent are optimistic about the future development of China-LAC relations.

Global Times also conducted a survey on "Chinese perspectives on the LAC." The result shows that 87 percent of Chinese respondents have used or purchased products from LAC countries, 83 percent believe China-LAC cooperation is mutually beneficial and 91 percent recognize the positive role of LAC countries in BRI cooperation.

As commented by the Latin American and Caribbean media, with the Monroe Doctrine having already faded away, the Beijing Declaration will become a new guide to economic development and diplomacy for LAC countries in the 21st century.

China and LAC partners have truly become a community with a shared future. This community is founded upon equality, powered by mutual benefit, invigorated by openness and inclusiveness and dedicated to the people's well-being. It exhibits enduring vitality and will surely embrace broader prospects.

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