China expresses support for Latin American integration at CELAC summit

The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, expressed in a message recorded and released on Tuesday (24) his country’s support for regional integration in Latin America and the Caribbean, within the framework of the VII Summit of Heads of State and Government of CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States), held in Buenos Aires.

“China attaches great importance to developing relations with CELAC and considers it an important partner for consolidating unity among developing countries and promoting South-South cooperation,” said the Chinese leader in a message attended by representatives of the 33 countries members of the bloc.

During his speech, Xi said China has been actively working with the region to promote a “new era” of relations between the two sides, characterized by “equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and the welfare of the people”.

“A growing number of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are establishing or re-establishing diplomatic relations with China and working side by side with China to build the China-LAC community with a shared future,” he said.

The Chinese president also welcomed the “joint construction” of the so-called New Silk Road, the multimillion plan for global infrastructure and investments promoted by Beijing since 2013, as well as the region’s participation in the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, both promoted by the Asian giant.

Xi Jinping emphasized that Latin American and Caribbean countries “form an important part of the developing world” and are “active participants and contributors to global governance”, something necessary in a world that has entered a “new period of turmoil and transformation”.

“We are ready to continue to stand in solidarity with the countries of the region and move forward with closed hands, reinforcing the common human values of peace, development, equality, justice, democracy and freedom, promoting peace and global development,” he said.

With information from LGI