This year is the 10th anniversary of Chinese President Xi Jinping's proposal of a China-Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) community with a shared future. Over the past decade, the China-LAC relationship has ushered in a new era characterized by equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and more benefits for the people. Reviewing bilateral ties from a historical and cultural perspective, six aspects of affinity can be identified. It is this inherent closeness, embedded in the hearts and minds of the people and passed down through civilizational development processes, that provides strong public support for vigorously advancing China-LAC relations in the new era.

First, both enjoyed histories of independent development. President Xi has emphasized that the Chinese nation boasts a legacy spanning thousands of years of humanity, 10 millennia of culture and 5,000 years of civilization. The Chinese civilization is the only uninterrupted civilization in the world that continues to this day in a state form, making major contributions to human progress. The LAC region has also developed brilliant civilizations such as the Maya, Inca and Aztec, with notable achievements made in calendar systems, agriculture, architecture, metallurgy and textiles.

Second, they share the cultural values of aspiring to peace. China and LAC countries have a lot in common in their worldviews and concepts of order, and the peace-loving nature in their cultures is prominent. From the 16th to the 19th century, the Maritime Silk Road served as an important channel for bilateral exchange, boosting their economic and social development and writing a celebrated chapter in the history of interactions. As President Xi once said, "These pioneers won their place in history not as conquerors with warships, guns or swords. Rather, they are remembered as friendly emissaries leading camel caravans and sailing treasure-loaded ships."

Third, the two peoples possess noble and genuine moral characters and warm and friendly personalities. In 1960, when Chairman Mao Zedong met with a group of LAC journalists, a Peruvian visitor mentioned the Inca proverb "Do not steal, do not lie, do not be lazy," which Chairman Mao praised by saying, "How straightforward!" This kind of moral integrity, appreciated by both Chinese and people of the LAC region, stands in stark contrast to the infamous motto, "We lie, we cheat, we steal." Both Chinese and LAC people are hospitable and compassionate, and would always extend mutual assistance during critical moments such as the Haiti earthquake in 2010 and the COVID-19 pandemic. The two peoples recognize who their true friends are in times of need, and the China-LAC community with a shared future is never built through empty words but always through concrete actions. 

Fourth, both have cultivated an indomitable spirit of anti-colonialism and anti-hegemony. Since the beginning of modern times, countless Chinese patriots struggled to save the nation, but all of their efforts ended in failure. It is the Communist Party of China (CPC) that unites and leads the Chinese people in establishing an independent new China and eradicating poverty and backwardness. The country is advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.

For a long time, the people of LAC countries have waged arduous struggles against imperialism and colonialism to gain national independence. 

During their struggles, China and LAC countries have supported each other and forged a deep friendship. China will continue to work hand in hand with LAC countries to advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world, and an economic globalization that is inclusive and beneficial to all.

Fifth, they hold a shared identity as part of the Global South. Both China and LAC countries are developing members of the international community and natural members of the Global South. As President Xi pointed out at the conference marking the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence earlier this year, of all the forces in the world, the Global South stands out with a strong momentum, playing a vital role in promoting human progress.

Development is the top priority for both China and LAC countries, and achieving modernization is a common aspiration of the two peoples. China is committed to sharing development opportunities with LAC countries and achieving common advancement through high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

Sixth, both of them uphold people-centered value orientation. The CPC has faithfully observed its fundamental purpose of wholeheartedly serving the people, with public satisfaction with the Party having remained above 90 percent.

LAC countries, at the same time, are also striving to improve people's wellbeing, reduce poverty and ensure social equity. Focusing on bringing benefit to their peoples, the two sides have engaged in poverty alleviation experience exchange and cooperation, and prioritized projects with significant social effects.

The past decade of building a China-LAC community with a shared future has been one in which both civilizations thrived and complemented each other, as well as a decade of genuine, sincere and cooperative development. President Xi has personally outlined the blueprint for China-LAC relations, visited the region five times and steered the course of bilateral relations in the new era through head-of-state diplomacy.

China's circle of friends in the region has further expanded. It established or resumed diplomatic relations with Panama, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras, and upgraded relations with countries including Venezuela, Uruguay, Colombia and Nicaragua. The new era of China-LAC relations, characterized by equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and more benefits for the people, has seen fruitful results in friendly collaboration across a variety of fields.

Equality is a distinctive foundation in bilateral relations. In international and multilateral affairs, the two sides have closely coordinated with and supported each other, jointly opposing hegemonism and power politics, attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries and the exercise of double standards. They have worked closely within the framework of the Group of 77 and China, jointly promoting solidarity and cooperation among the Global South, and safeguarding the development rights of the broader Global South countries. They have sent out the strong message of building a new type of international relations characterized by mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation, and shaping a global governance system that is fairer and more equitable. Notably, in May, China and Brazil jointly issued the Common Understandings on Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis, calling on all parties to work toward easing the tension, which demonstrates the international community's widespread concern and desire for a political solution to the crisis.