China-CELAC Forum: Ties with Community of Latin American & Caribbean States promoted

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is in Chile for a forum on China-Latin America cooperation. They are discussing how to bring the Belt and Road Initiative across the Pacific Ocean. CGTN's Joel Richards looks at China's role in the region.

Chile's port city of Valparaiso is one of Latin America's gateways to Asia. From here, products from the region are shipped across the Pacific.

This is a UNESCO world heritage site. Tourists still ride the funicular, built in the early 20th century.

Alongside history, there are plans for a new high-speed train connecting this city with Santiago over 100 kilometers away.

Maria Silva has been a tour guide in Valparaiso for eight years.

MARIA SILVA TOUR GUIDE "There are a lot of people very excited about the chance to connect those two cities, it'll be very good for stimulating the economy."

Local reports indicate the project will cost around 1.5 billion dollars.

JOEL RICHARDS VALPARAISO, CHILE "Travel time between this port city and the capital Santiago could be cut in half if this high speed train project does move ahead. This is just one of the many infrastructure projects with Chinese involvement under discussion in Latin America."

China is taking a more prominent role in this region. And last year, exports from Latin America and the Caribbean to China rose by 30 percent, according to the Inter- American Development Bank.

Officials at this weekend's China-CELAC ministerial meeting will discuss joint cooperation.

Chile's former ambassador to China believes the most vital aspect of the forum is to develop regional projects.

JORGE HEINE FORMER CHILEAN AMBASSADOR TO CHINA "I would like to see not just national responses but some sort of collective response from the region saying that it is interested in continuing to partner with China in pushing for Latin American development."

The China-CELAC meeting ends on Monday when officials plan to release a statement about the road forward for China-Latin America relations. Joel Richards, CGTN, Valparaiso.