The recent developments in China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) cooperation mark a significant milestone in South-South collaboration.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of the China-CELAC Forum. Over the past decade, this partnership has evolved to become a robust platform encompassing political, economic and cultural ties.

The recently held Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum adopted the Beijing Declaration and the China-CELAC Joint Action Plan for Cooperation in Key Areas (2025-2027). The two sides agreed on over 100 cooperation projects in the next three years. In addition, China announced 20 measures to?support the LAC region's development.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro, the rotating presidency?of CELAC, welcomed the cooperation plans. He specifically praised the proposal for dialogue between civilizations as "a new step towards a united humanity."

On May 14, Colombia became the latest country to join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Colombia's foreign ministry hailed the agreement as a "historic step that opens up new opportunities for investment, technological cooperation, and sustainable development for both countries."

Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Yván Gil said China's cooperation plans offer a "comprehensive approach" to strengthen China-CELAC relations.

"China has proven itself to be a force for economic stability, preventing an economic catastrophe caused by the tariff war through its strength, resilience, hard work, perseverance, industry and production," Gil said.

Analisa Low, ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago to China, highlighted CELAC's role as an important mechanism to promote regional dialogue and cooperation, and as a testament to the close bilateral relationship shared between Trinidad and Tobago and China.

In May 2018, Trinidad and Tobago became the first English speaking Caribbean country to sign on to the BRI, which facilitated closer cooperation between both sides in the spheres of infrastructural development, trade and investment, healthcare, and people-to-people exchanges, according to Low.

Amid global challenges, China and LAC countries have collaborated on disaster prevention, mitigation and relief and on joint response to hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters.

"China has consistently offered sincere support?and assistance?to Latin American countries, including Brazil, in their pursuit of economic and social development," Brazilian President Lula da Silva said.

"It is with China that we will strengthen CELAC to promote the region's political, economic, social and cultural integration as a space for political collaboration and coordination," Lula said, reiterating the bloc's importance in building new geopolitics of inclusion and solidarity.

"Beyond economic cooperation, China is also strengthening collaboration in technology and legal frameworks," according to Enrique Millán-Mejía, senior fellow for economic development at the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center. Projects like the China-LAC Technology Transfer Center and the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite program demonstrate China's intent to integrate the region into its innovation ecosystem.

As the China-CELAC Forum enters its second decade, it is expected to play a bigger role in fostering mutual progress and shaping a fairer global order based on reciprocity and equity.