INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Located in San Salvador, the National Library of El Salvador – a China-aided mega project – has become a modern cultural landmark in the
capital city since its inauguration in late 2023.Spanning 24,000 square meters, the library is open 24/7 and holds over 360,000 volumes
It serves multiple functions, including youth education, art exhibitions, cultural performances, and academic conferences.The library is
among more than 200 infrastructure projects China has supported in Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) countries in recent years, which
Chinese President Xi Jinping noted during his address at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC
(Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum in Beijing on Tuesday.Xi said those projects have helped create nearly one million
local jobs.Fundamental pursuit to benefit peopleNoting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the official launch of the China-CELAC
Forum, Xi said he's pleased to see the China-CELAC Forum grow from a seedling to a tall tree.China and CELAC countries have builta community
with a shared future, featuring equality and mutual benefits, upholding openness and inclusiveness, and aiming to bring tangible benefits
for the people, Xi said. Since 2012, China has been LAC's second-largest trading partner and is now the top partner for Chile, Brazil, and
It has signed free trade agreements with five LAC nations: Peru, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Nicaragua.As of 2024, bilateral trade
reached $500 billion – a nearly 40-fold increase since 2000, according to Chinese Ambassador to Panama Xu Xueyuan.So far, 23 LAC countries
have signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with China, Xu said
Notable BRI projects include the Chancay Port – South America's first smart and green port – and the Jamaica North-South
Highway.Inaugurated in November 2024, Chancay Port has cut Pacific shipping time by nearly one-third, lowered logistics costs by 20 percent,
and is expected to create over 8,000 direct jobs
Such tangible cooperation has received strong local support
A CGTN poll of 2,500 Latin Americans found that 80.4 percent viewed the BRI as beneficial to regional economic and social development.Since
1993, China has dispatched 38 medical teams to Caribbean nations, offering care and helping improve local medical capabilities
The same poll showed that 86.2 percent of respondents had a favorable impression of China.Solidarity and further cooperationAt the
gathering, Xi stressed the importance of Global South unity in face of rising unilateralism and protectionism.China and LAC countries are
important members of the Global South, Xi said, adding that "Independence and autonomy are our glorious traditions, development and
rejuvenation are our natural rights, fairness and justice are our common pursuits."Facing the undercurrents of geopolitics and camp
confrontation, as well as the growing countercurrents of unilateralism and protectionism,China is willing to join hands with CELAC
countriesto launch the five major projects, seek common development and rejuvenation, Xi said.Detailing the major projects centering on
solidarity, development, civilization, security and people-to-people exchanges, Xi called on China and Latin American and Caribbean
countries to continue supporting each other on core interest issues and major concerns, maintain close exchanges in all fields, and jointly
implement the China-proposed Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative.Xi announced that
China will provide CELAC countries with a credit fund of 66 billion yuan (around $9.2 billion) to support their development
Additionally, over the next three years, China will offer 3,500 government scholarships, 10,000 training opportunities, 500 international
Chinese language teacher scholarships, and 300 training spots for poverty reduction technologies.China has decided to offer a visa-free
policy to five countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, and will expand the policy to cover more regional countries in due course, said
the Chinese president.China's recent modernization has boosted confidence in the region
A CGTN poll showed that 82.9 percent of respondents see China's development model as a valuable reference for LAC countries.Noting China has
always been a good friend and partner of LAC countries, Xi called on China and LAC countries to join hands and move forward side by side on
respective modernization journeys.(Cover: Chinese New Year decorations adorn the entrance of the National Library of El Salvador in San
Salvador, El Salvador, February 14, 2024
