The 4th Dialogue Between the Civilizations of China and the LAC takes place in Beijing on October 22 (ZHANG WEI)

In a complex and volatile world, it is never a sustainable solution for countries to detach themselves from the international community. Developing countries, including China and Latin American countries (LAC), need to work together, support one another, and conduct cooperation and exchanges, Ma Peihua, Vice Chairman of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, said at the 4th Dialogue Between the Civilizations of China and the LAC on October 22.

Only this way can we overcome obstacles and achieve common development, Ma added.

Du Zhanyuan, President of China International Communications Group, speaks at the 4th Dialogue Between the Civilizations of China and the LAC in Beijing on October 22 (ZHANG WEI)

Both China and Latin American nations are developing countries with time-honored civilizations. “We are at similar stages of development and shoulder common tasks. Faced with issues such as economic recovery, pandemic prevention, climate change and poverty alleviation, both sides should adhere to the concept of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness, learn from each other and seek the key to tackling challenges,” Du Zhanyuan, President of China International Communications Group (CICG), said at the forum.

Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, former Chilean President, said that one of the greatest challenges ahead of us is the fight against poverty, as it is estimated in preliminary figures that some 8 percent of the world’s population might be living in poverty following the pandemic. “Cooperation is vital to overcome this trial and requires a broad consensus for the implementation of forward-looking policies in our countries to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic growth that is permanently maintained and impartial,” he added.

Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, former Chilean President, speaks at the 4th Dialogue Between the Civilizations of China and the LAC via video link, on October 22 (ZHANG WEI)

The LAC should deepen cooperation with China in areas such as agricultural science and technology, biodiversity protection and clean energy to contribute to addressing global challenges and improving the wellbeing of our peoples, the former Chilean president elaborated.

According to him, bilateral trade between China and Chile accounts for nearly 40 percent of Chile’s total imports and exports, and Chinese investment in infrastructure, the energy sector and electric vehicles are among the highest. “We are now discussing how to strengthen cooperation in 5G construction, astronomy and other fields,” he said.

Li Jinzhang, former Vice Foreign Minister, said that China-Latin American relations have made great achievements in recent decades, and the relationship today has entered a historical time of a quest for all-round development.

Li Jinzhang, former Vice Foreign Minister of China, speaks at the 4th Dialogue Between the Civilizations of China and the LAC in Beijing, on October 22 (ZHANG WEI)

Brazilian Ambassador to China Paulo Estivallet de Mesquita said that people-to-people exchanges are of vital importance in China-Brazil relations. “Brazil has been working hard to promote Brazilian culture and soon we will launch a new edition of the Brazilian film festival across various Chinese cities.” he said, adding that as language serves as a bridge to bring the two peoples closer, Brazil is working to expand the influence of Portuguese in China. Currently, many of the Portuguese courses offered at 57 Chinese universities are taught by Brazilian teachers.

Brazilian Ambassador to China Paulo Estivallet de Mesquita speaks at the 4th Dialogue Between the Civilizations of China and the LAC in Beijing, on October 22 (ZHANG WEI)

Exchanges among civilizations not only help enhance mutual understanding and trust, but also help draw on each other’s solutions, which is of essential support for the steady and long-term thriving of the China-Latin American community with a shared future, Wang Linggui, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), said.

Wang Linggui, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, speaks at the 4th Dialogue Between the Civilizations of China and the LAC in Beijing, on October 22 (ZHANG WEI)

The two sides should strengthen exchanges and cooperation with experience and knowledge for development at their core. “We should prioritize exchanges in areas where consensus is easiest to reach and where both sides are most concerned,” he explained.

Luis Diego Monsalve, Colombian Ambassador to China, speaks at the 4th Dialogue Between the Civilizations of China and the LAC in Beijing, on October 22 (ZHANG WEI)

Colombia and China strengthened their friendship amid the pandemic. Donations of protective supplies worth $1.5 million, and the purchase of medical equipment that allowed Colombia to expand the intensive care units, have helped save many lives, Luis Diego Monsalve, Colombian Ambassador to China, said. “We have been able to build a close connection in the purchase of vaccines. The 20 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines purchased from China have contributed decisively to our vaccination plan,” he said.

Qiu Xiaoqi, Special Representative for Latin American Affairs of the Chinese Government, echoed with Wang. According to Qiu, in the post-pandemic era, China and the LAC should give precedence to development. “By taking people-centered approaches, we should try to benefit all, be inclusive and achieve sustainable and innovative progress,” Qiu said.

Qiu Xiaoqi, Special Representative for Latin American Affairs of the Chinese Government, speaks at the 4th Dialogue Between the Civilizations of China and the LAC in Beijing, on October 22 (ZHANG WEI)

A recent report released by the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies (ACCWS) under CICG shows that Mexico, Argentina, Chile and Brazil are all in the world’s top eight countries with the most favorable view of China, demonstrating the solid public support between China and the LAC, Li Yafang, President of the CICG Center for Americas, said.

Li Yafang, President of the CICG Center for Americas, speaks at the 4th Dialogue Between the Civilizations of China and the LAC in Beijing, on October 22 (ZHANG WEI)

With geographical distance, China and the LAC have different cultures and values. Therefore, media exchanges and cooperation are of great importance to promote the dialogue between the two civilizations, she said. “In the future, we should strengthen information sharing and make real and objective messages accessible for both populations,” Li added.

The forum was organized by institutions such as ACCWS, Institute of Latin American Studies of CASS, and Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences, with the participation of nearly 200 political leaders, diplomats, scholars, media representatives and heads of international organizations. During the two-day event, participants discuss topics on social governance, public health, digital society and many others so as to provide suggestions on how to enhance teamwork, people-to-people interactions and the mutual understanding between China and Latin American countries as well as share their experiences to boost common development.

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon

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