The Third Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) Ambassadors Convention, themed High-Quality Development and the Chinese Path to Modernization, took place at Tsinghua University in Beijing on April 28. Ambassadors and representatives from 20 LAC countries attended the event.

The convention focused on elaborating the Chinese path to modernization, which has brought opportunities for both China and other countries. Bai Chongen, Dean of the School of Economics and Management at Tsinghua, told participants that China aims to achieve sustainable growth based on innovation and high efficiency and, in the process, pursues common prosperity to ensure everyone can more fairly share the fruits of development.

"In the past, China's growth relied mainly on fixed assets investment and exports. But domestic consumption has become a major driver of its economic development today as the government focuses on improving people's wellbeing," Bai said.

Countries all over the world have taken different approaches to economic reform. Since China's market system has developed gradually, its economic reform has also progressed at a corresponding pace, according to Bai.

"It is important to understand better what high-quality development means and how this strategy could affect the development of comprehensive strategic partnerships between LAC countries and China," Fernando Lugris, Uruguayan Ambassador to China, said at the convention.

Many of the LAC attendees expressed confidence in future ties between their countries and China.

"Jamaica is the first Western Hemisphere country to join the Belt and Road Initiative. I'm sure there are many opportunities for Jamaica and China to work together," Antonia Hugh, Ambassador of Jamaica to China, told Beijing Review. The Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China in 2013 aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road trade routes.

According to Hugh, Jamaica and China see more opportunities for cooperation in the digital sector. "We plan to create e-commerce and digital technology platforms for the Caribbean region. Hopefully, related sectors in Jamaica can be enhanced through partnerships with Chinese digital technology companies," he said.

Green development is another important pillar of China's modernization. Cooperation between China and LAC countries in fields such as low-carbon transformation has much potential, according to Bai.

Letícia Frazão Leme, a diplomat at the Brazilian embassy in China, told the convention that green development is also a priority for Brazil, so Brazil and China can further cooperation on related projects. "Brazil is exploring new growth drivers and can learn from China's practices," Leme said.

China can also learn from Brazil's valuable experiences in developing bioenergy, Bai said. According to Brazilian statistics, around 45 percent of the country's energy consumption and about 80 percent of its electricity generation come from renewable energy resources. Currently, over 75 percent of China's investment in Brazil goes into the energy sector.

Melissa Pryce, Minister Counsellor and deputy head of the Mission of the Embassy of Jamaica in China, is impressed by China's stance that Chinese modernization does not mean Westernization. "Jamaica is also pulling from China's experiences in modernization, including infrastructure and renewable energy development. We are seeking more opportunities to continue working with China," she said. 

(Print Edition Title: Growing Ties)

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson

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