China-CELAC Forum
The China-CELAC Forum is a multilateral cooperation mechanism established in January 2015 between the People's Republic of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, comprising 33 member states. It serves as the primary platform for advancing political dialogue, economic collaboration, and cultural exchanges between China and the various regions.
History
In July 2014, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and President of China, convened with the leaders of Latin American nations in Brazil on his tour to the region. The summit endorsed the "Joint Statement from the China-LAC Leaders' summit in Brasilia", declaring the formation of the China-LAC Forum and scheduling the inaugural ministerial meeting of the Forum in Beijing at the earliest opportunity.2015
The inaugural Ministerial Meeting of the China-LAC Forum took place in Beijing on January 8–9, 2015. Chinese leader Xi Jinping, along with President of Costa Rica and Chairperson-in-Office of LAC Luis Guillermo Solís, President of Ecuador Rafael Correa, President of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro, and Prime Minister of the Bahamas Perry Christie, participated in the opening ceremony of the summit. Xi Jinping presented a discourse titled "Jointly Writing a New Chapter of China-Latin America Comprehensive Partnership". Chinese Premier Li Keqiang convened with the leaders of the Latin American delegations participating in the meeting. Twenty-nine foreign ministers, ministers, or senior representatives from LAC member states participated in the meeting, alongside representatives from regional organizations and institutions, including the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, who attended as guests. The meeting ratified three outcome documents: the Beijing Declaration from the inaugural Ministerial Meeting of the China-LAC Forum, the Plan for Cooperation between China and Latin American and Caribbean Countries, and the Regulations for Establishing and Managing the Mechanisms of the China-LAC Forum.On September 27, 2015, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi engaged in discussions in New York with the Foreign Ministers of Ecuado Ricardo Patiño, Foreign Ministers of Costa Rica and Maxine McClean of Barbados, and Vice Foreign Minister Alejandra Liriano de la Cruz of Dominica, along with Cuban Vice Foreign Minister Abelardo Moreno Fernández and Mexican Vice Foreign Minister Carlos Flores Vizcarra. The parties discussed enhancing China-Latin America relations and advancing the execution of the results from the inaugural ministerial meeting of the China-Latin America Forum.
In 2015, the inaugural China-Latin America Infrastructure Cooperation Forum, the first China-Latin America Science and Technology Innovation Forum, the initial meeting of the China-Latin America Political Parties Forum, the second China-Latin America Young Politicians Forum, the ninth China-Latin America Entrepreneurs Summit, and the fifth China-Latin America Folk Friendship Forum, among other sub-forums, were consecutively convened; China and Latin America sustained robust communication regarding the $35 billion financing package arrangement for Latin America from the Chinese government. The Chinese government has released a pertinent implementation plan, augmented the number of scholarships and training opportunities for LAC member states, and conducted the inaugural “Bridge to the Future” training and exchange camp for young leaders from China and Latin America.
2018
The Second Ministerial Meeting of the China–CELAC Forum is scheduled for January 19 to 22, 2018, in Santiago, Chile.On September 25, 2018, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi participated in the Sixth China-CELAC Foreign Ministers' Dialogue at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Carlos Castaneda, Foreign Minister of El Salvador, Miguel Octavio Vargas Maldonado, Foreign Minister of Dominica and former Chairperson-in-Office of CARICOM; Diego Pary Rodríguez, Foreign Minister of Bolivia and Chairperson-designate of CARICOM; and Kamina Johnson Smith, Foreign Minister of Jamaica and Chairperson-in-Office of CARICOM, attended the meeting, alongside representatives from other Caribbean Community member states.
2019
On September 26, 2019, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi convened the Seventh Dialogue with Foreign Ministers of the China-LAC Troika at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.In 2019, the 5th China-Latin America Infrastructure Cooperation Forum, the 3rd Specialized Training Course on China-Latin America Financing Cooperation, the China-Latin America Youth Development Forum, the 5th China-Latin America Think Tank Forum, and the 13th China-Latin America Entrepreneurs Summit were conducted.
2021
On December 3, 2021, Chinese leader Xi Jinping presented a video address at the Third Ministerial Meeting of the China-LAC Forum. The meeting ratified the Declaration of the Third Ministerial Meeting of the China-LAC Forum and the Joint Action Plan for Cooperation between China and LAC Member States in Key Areas.2024
On September 24, 2024, CCP foreign chief and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi participates in the eighth round of the China-LAC Troika Foreign Ministers' Dialogue at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.2025
The Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China–CELAC Forum occurred on May 13, 2025, in Beijing. President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Colombia Gustavo Petro, and President of Chile Gabriel Boric have arrived in Beijing for the meeting.Chinese leader Xi Jinping participated in the inaugural ceremony of the gathering and presented a significant address. Xi announced the initiation of five programs aimed at promoting shared growth and revitalization with Latin American and Caribbean nations. During his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China–CELAC Forum in Beijing, Xi announced five initiatives encompassing solidarity, development, civilization, peace, and people-to-people connectivity.
Bilateral trade for the initial three quarters of 2025 was $427.4 billion. By May 2025, two-thirds of Latin American nations have participated in China's Belt and Road Initiative, with China surpassing the United States as the primary trading partner of Brazil, Peru, and Chile, among others.
In December 2025 China announced it had created a White Paper concerning plans for development for partnering states in the Latin American and Caribbean regions. The policy paper, mainly consisting of three parts: i. Titled: “Latin America and the Caribbean: A Land Full of Vibrancy and Hope”; ii. Titled: “The Flourishing Relations Between China and LAC”; and iii. Titled: “Joining Hands to Promote the Five Programs for Building a China-LAC Community with a Shared Future”.
Outcomes
Under the auspices of the China–CELAC Forum, over 100 initiatives have been conducted between China and Latin America, encompassing diverse sectors such as agricultural production, scientific and technological innovation, poverty alleviation, sustainable development, defense collaboration, anti-corruption efforts, and law enforcement. Additionally, various platforms have been established, including the China-Latin America Center for Sustainable Food Innovation, the China-Latin America Center for Technology Transfer, and the China-Latin America Center for News Exchange. Besides, the China-Latin America Cooperation Fund, the China-LAC Cooperation Fund, the China-Latin America Infrastructure Special Loan, and other structures have offered varied options for development finance to Latin American nations.Significant initiatives include Brazil's Belo Monte Dam and transmission line, Argentina's Belgrano freight railroad reconstruction, Jamaica's North-South Highway, Peru's Port of Chancay, Mexico's photovoltaic project in Puerto Peñasco, Guyana's New Demerara River Bridge, among others.