INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Chinese consumers have been enjoying unexpected "cherry freedom" this season, as prices for the premium fruit have dropped by half compared
to last year – thanks to a steady influx of Chilean cherry shipments crossing the Pacific since December.China has remained Chile's
largest cherry export market for seven consecutive years, with over 92 percent of Chile's cherry production destined for Chinese tables,
according to reports.Beyond cherries, a growing variety of Latin American specialty products – such as Ecuadorian bananas, Nicaraguan
honey, Peruvian blueberries, and Honduran whiteleg shrimp – are increasingly appearing on Chinese tables
These imports are expanding consumer choices while deepening trade ties between China and the region.Since 2012, China has been Latin
America and the Caribbean's second-largest trading partner, and it now ranks as the top trade partner for Chile, Brazil, and Peru.As of
2024, bilateral trade between China and LAC countries had reached $500 billion, representing a nearly 40-fold increase since 2000; China's
cumulative direct investment in the region had hit $600 billion, with its annual investment surpassing that of the United States for the
first time in 2024, said Chinese Ambassador to Panama Xu Xueyuan last month.China has inked free trade agreements (FTA) with five LAC
countries – Peru, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Nicaragua
Since 2024, China has signed an early harvest arrangement of free trade agreement with Honduras and concluded substantial negotiations to
upgrade the free trade agreement with Peru.Belt and Road cooperationThe Port of Guangzhou, a key shipping hub in south China, opened a
direct route service to Chancay Port in Peru on April 29, in a move that will cut transit to 30 days with 20 percent cost savings.Chancay
Port, South America's first smart and green port that was inaugurated in November 2024, stands as a model of win-win cooperation between
China and Peru and a new flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).To date, a total of 23 LAC countries have signed BRI
memorandum of understanding with China, according to the Chinese ambassador to Panama.Through grants, concessional loans, and contracted
projects, China has implemented over 200 infrastructure projects across the region, including building thousands of kilometers of roads,
railways and light rail, more than 100 schools, hospitals and sports stadiums, nearly 100 bridges and tunnels, dozens of airports and
ports, and more than 30 power plants and electrical facilities, Xu said, adding that these projects have helped create nearly 1 million
local jobs.Pavel Aleman, associate professor of the Department of Philosophy and History at the University of Havana, said cooperation
between China and LAC countries features mutual benefit, win-win cooperation, and pragmatism.He noted that the partnership is mutually
beneficial – China's economic dynamism provides vital momentum for Latin America's development, while the region offers crucial support
for China's sustained growth.Amid a rapidly changing global landscape, the strategic significance of LAC-China cooperation continues to
grow, Aleman said, adding that deepening pragmatic collaboration between the two sides helps mitigate the adverse effects of US tariff
policies and effectively counters global risks.Qiu Xiaoqi, special representative of the Chinese government on Latin American affairs, said
this year marks the 10th anniversary of the official launch of the Forum of China and Community of Latin American and Caribbean States
(CELAC), noting that China will announce major initiatives to advance bilateral relations.During an interview with China Media Group, Qiu
said China and LAC countries account for one quarter of global GDP, representing one of the world's most dynamic and growth-potential
regions.Miao Deyu, a Chinese assistant foreign minister, said on Sunday that the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum, which
is set to be held in Beijing on Tuesday, will adopt two documents, including a joint action plan.The plan will outline bilateral
cooperation in tech innovation, trade, investment, finance, infrastructure development, agricultural and food, industrial digitalization,
energy, and concrete measures under the BRI cooperation, said Miao.
