e-magazine
The Hot Zone
China's newly announced air defense identification zone over the East China Sea aims to shore up national security
Current Issue
· Table of Contents
· Editor's Desk
· Previous Issues
· Subscribe to Mag
Subscribe Now >>
Expert's View
World
Nation
Business
Finance
Market Watch
Legal-Ease
North American Report
Forum
Government Documents
Expat's Eye
Health
Science/Technology
Lifestyle
Books
Movies
Backgrounders
Special
Photo Gallery
Blogs
Reader's Service
Learning with
'Beijing Review'
E-mail us
RSS Feeds
PDF Edition
Web-magazine
Reader's Letters
Make Beijing Review your homepage
Hot Links

cheap eyeglasses
Market Avenue
eBeijing

Opinion
Special> Xi Visits Americas> Opinion
UPDATED: December 19, 2011 NO. 51 DECEMBER 22, 2011
Latin Lessons
Integration presents challenges and opportunities for Chinese companies in Latin America
By SUN YANFENG
Share

OPENING: Thirty-three heads of state across the Latin American region attended the Third Summit of Latin American and Caribbean States on December 3, in Caracas, Venezuela (XINHUA)

On December 3 the Third Summit of Latin American and Caribbean States lowered its curtain in Caracas, capital of Venezuela, officially signing into effect the formation of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) as the new leading regional bloc, which symbolized further integration of the region and a milestone after Latin America's independence fighters first raised the battle cry for a united Latin America 200 years ago. As the second largest trade partner and the third largest investor of the region, China will no doubt have more business opportunities with the establishment of the new bloc. However, the potential challenges brought by the new regional organization are also asking for more precautions.

Go to integration

At the summit, 22 documents and resolutions including the Caracas Declaration were approved, covering issues such as supporting Argentina's sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands, opposing the United States embargo on Cuba, safeguarding regional food security and banning nuclear weapons. With the Declaration of Caracas, the CELAC member nations committed themselves to the advancement of political, economic, social and cultural integration. They also said the bloc should become a space that vindicates the right to live and works for the preservation and co-existence of all cultures, races and ethnic groups, particularly the aboriginal communities. The democratic principle and opposing external interference clause that the declaration established could greatly promote the political power of the community and its ability in resolving internal disagreements within the region.

Put forward by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, the CELAC has also established a rotating presidency mechanism following the example of the Rio Group. Meanwhile, Chile, Cuba and Costa Rica were selected as host countries of the CELAC summit in the next three years. A Troika-like mechanism was also adopted by the CELAC, which requires the three rotating host countries to coordinate the internal issues of the community. These measures have manifested the institutionalization and continuity of the Latin American integration process.

Much more compelling, all states in the summit showed unprecedented solidarity to the Latin Community regardless of ideological divergence. Heads of the radical-left, moderate central-left and traditional right-wing countries sat next to each other, talking with one another heart to heart. Under the banner of a united Latin America, ideological divergence between member states was put on the shelf.

1   2   Next  



 
Top Story
-Protecting Ocean Rights
-Partners in Defense
-Fighting HIV+'s Stigma
-HIV: Privacy VS. Protection
-Setting the Tone
Related Stories
-Not All Fun at the Fair
-Eyeing the Horizon
-A First for Central America
-Cementing a Partnership
 
Most Popular
 
About BEIJINGREVIEW | About beijingreview.com | Rss Feeds | Contact us | Advertising | Subscribe & Service | Make Beijing Review your homepage
Copyright Beijing Review All right reserved