Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday called for deeper solidarity and cooperation between China and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, pledging to jointly build a closer China-LAC community with a shared future.Wang made the remarks at the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum, emphasizing China's commitment to advancing cooperation amid global uncertainties.Wang noted that President Xi Jinping and LAC leaders have reached broad consensus on the future of China-LAC ties, laying out a strategic blueprint for long-term development.
He said China stands ready to work with LAC countries to implement their consensus through unity, cooperation and mutual benefit, bringing greater benefits to the peoples of China and LAC countries and opening up a brighter future for building a China-LAC community with a shared future.Wang outlined five key areas of cooperation.
First, he stressed mutual respect for core interests, affirming China's support for LAC countries in safeguarding independence and choosing development paths suited to their national realities.
He reaffirmed China's firm opposition to hegemonism and interference in internal affairs and expressed hope that CELAC member states would continue to uphold the one-China principle.Second, Wang called for deeper economic and trade cooperation.
He said China is willing to enhance connectivity and supply chain stability with the region under the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative.
He pledged the effective implementation of 66 billion yuan ($9.18 billion) of credit lines to the CELAC members announced by President Xi and encouraged expanded cooperation in emerging sectors.Third, Wang advocated stronger peace and security cooperation.
He expressed China's support for LAC efforts to maintain regional peace and stability and proposed joint implementation of the Global Security Initiative.
He also called for expanded cooperation on cybersecurity, anti-terrorism, anti-money laundering and disaster prevention.Fourth, Wang emphasized the importance of cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
He said China will continue promoting dialogue among civilizations, strengthening ties between universities, think tanks, media and local governments to deepen mutual understanding and public support for China-LAC relations.Finally, Wang underscored the need to uphold international fairness and justice.
Marking the 80th anniversaries of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations, he urged joint efforts to uphold true multilateralism, promote global governance reform and safeguard the UN-centered international system and a rules-based global order while enhancing the voice and representation of developing countries.