China-CELAC Ties: President Xi calls for close cooperation in B&R Initiative
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President Xi has called on Latin America and Caribbean countries to actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. The appeal came in a letter to the ministerial meeting held in the Chilean capital, Santiago. Foreign Minister Wang Yi was there. He stressed the past achievements between China and CELAC nations have been made on the basis of mutual respect and equality. Wang said E-commerce and the digital economy have become new growth points in cooperation. And China supports CELAC countries in developing independent and diversified industrial systems. Wang also suggested upgrading economies with a greater focus on innovation and an open market. A joint cooperation guideline was signed. It highlights trade, investment and finance in the next 3 years. China is now Latin-America's third largest investor. Investment from China has been shifting to information and service sectors. This year, ride hailing company Didi purchased Brazil's ride hailing app 99. China has also set up a 30-billion-US-dollar fund for capacity building with CELAC.