4th China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Ministerial Meeting!
Beijing, May 13 (EFE).-
Chinese President Xi Jinping called Tuesday on Latin American and Caribbean countries to reject foreign interference and develop in line with their national conditions.
“China supports the nations of the region defending their national sovereignty and independence,” the president said during his opening speech at the 4th China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Ministerial Meeting.
The meeting in Beijing is attended by foreign ministers and representatives of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and, for the first time, by the presidents of Brazil, Chile, and Colombia, the latter holding the bloc’s rotating presidency.
According to the leader, his country and those of Latin America and the Caribbean are “important members of the Global South” and must “remain united in the face of rising geopolitical tensions, confrontations between blocs,” and “growing currents of unilateralism and protectionism.”
“We will work with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean to firmly safeguard the international system and speak with one voice on international and regional affairs,” he said.
“Development and revitalization are our inherent rights, and equity and justice are our common aspiration” in the face of “geopolitical turbulence and confrontation,” Xi said, speaking of joint work “to practice true multilateralism, safeguard international equity and justice, and promote reform of the global governance system to foster multipolarity.”
The president said that last year, trade volume between China and the region exceeded $500 billion for the first time and announced that his country aims to continue developing mutual support with Latin America and the Caribbean on issues affecting their “core interests and concerns.”
He also announced that his country would provide $9 billion in loans to the region and strengthen cooperation in security and law enforcement.
“We must strengthen exchanges in various fields and strengthen communication and coordination on important international and regional issues,” Xi said. He added that for the next three years, Beijing would annually invite 300 political party leaders from the community’s member countries to visit China to “exchange experiences on governance.”
After the opening ceremony, Xi will host a luncheon for attendees, followed by the plenary session of the meeting, which will be held behind closed doors and conclude with the adoption of a joint declaration.
The main topics of the meeting will be “Electricity Interconnection and Renewable Energy” and “Trade Integration,” two topics that align with two key Chinese objectives in Latin America: promoting its New Silk Roads Initiative and securing access to the region’s valuable natural resources such as lithium, rare earths, oil, and copper. EFE
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