China-CELAC at 10: Mutual benefit, not geopolitics, defines ties

Editor's note: Jianlu Bi is a Beijing-based award-winning journalist and current affairs commentator. His research interests include international politics and communications. He holds a doctoral degree in communication studies and a master's degree in international studies. He also writes for the SCMP, Foreign Policy In Focus, TRT World, Eurasia Review, International Policy Digest, IOL, the Citizen and others. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN. 

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum, a decade of deepening cooperation and mutual benefit between China and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) nations. As the ministerial meeting opens on Tuesday, it's crucial to address the recent barrage of unfounded accusations, particularly those propagated by figures like U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which seek to misrepresent and undermine this vital partnership. These assertions, steeped in Cold War rhetoric and disregarding the realities of China-LAC relations, necessitate a clear and factual rebuttal.

China's engagement with LAC is fundamentally rooted in mutual respect, equality and shared development principles. As Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has consistently emphasized, "China-LAC cooperation is South-South cooperation. There is only mutual support in this cooperation, no geopolitical calculations." This guiding philosophy starkly contrasts with the historical patterns of external intervention and dominance that have long characterized engagement with the LAC region.

Rubio's claims of China seeking to exert undue influence and counter the "influence of the Chinese Communist Party" are nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to resurrect the Monroe Doctrine, a relic of a bygone era. The people of LAC rightly aspire to independence and self-determination, not to be relegated to anyone's "backyard." China's cooperation respects this aspiration, focusing on mutually beneficial partnerships that address the region's specific needs, an approach that will be further highlighted during the upcoming ministerial meeting.

The numbers speak for themselves. The past decade has witnessed a remarkable surge in trade and investment between China and LAC. In 2024, the trade volume reached over $500 billion, a dramatic increase from roughly $12 billion in 2000, underscoring the exponential growth of this economic partnership. This figure marks six consecutive years of accelerated growth in trade between the two regions. Several LAC nations, including Brazil, Chile, Peru and Uruguay, now count China as their largest trading partner.

This cooperation has translated into tangible benefits for LAC nations, driving infrastructure development, creating jobs and boosting economic growth. Chinese companies have played a significant role in building and upgrading highways in Argentina, hydroelectric power plants in Ecuador, and railway lines in Brazil. The China-LAC Cooperation Fund, aiming for $30 billion in financing, further exemplifies this commitment. The China-CELAC Forum has served as a pivotal platform for fostering these partnerships, facilitating dialogue and collaboration across a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, technology and cultural exchange. Since its inception, the Forum has facilitated over 90 cooperative events, strengthening ties through concrete actions.

The ministerial meeting provides a crucial opportunity to solidify these achievements and chart a course for future cooperation. This forum will allow for the deepening of ties and the creation of new avenues for mutual benefit, reaffirming the commitment to building a China-LAC community with a shared future. It will be a chance to demonstrate the tangible results of the past ten years and to outline the vision for the next decade of partnership.

Rubio's concerns about cybersecurity, particularly regarding Chinese 5G technology, are similarly misplaced. Chinese companies, renowned for their advanced technology and secure services, have become vital partners in the region's digital transformation, facilitating technology transfer in countries across the region. As Rubio suggests, suppressing these technologies would only deprive LAC nations of the opportunity to leverage cutting-edge solutions for their development. China has consistently upheld cybersecurity through win-win cooperation, a fact that will be further demonstrated and discussed during the ministerial meeting.

The Taiwan question, another focal point of Rubio's rhetoric, is a matter of China's internal affairs. The one-China principle, recognized by 183 countries, is the cornerstone of China's foreign policy. Any attempt to interfere in this matter directly violates international norms and principles. The interruption of regular exchanges and cooperation between China and LAC countries, as advocated by Rubio, is both counterproductive and doomed to fail.

China's engagement with LAC is not about imposing its will or creating dependencies. It is about building genuine partnerships based on mutual respect and shared prosperity. China has neither attached political strings to its cooperation nor targeted any third party. The success of China-LAC cooperation, as evidenced by the past ten years and the upcoming ministerial meeting, lies in its ability to deliver tangible results that improve the lives of the people in the region. Chinese development banks and financial institutions provide crucial alternative funding, as seen in significant loans to countries like Venezuela and Ecuador for vital infrastructure and energy projects. Furthermore, the China-CELAC Forum has helped strengthen existing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with countries like Chile, Peru and Costa Rica, further solidifying economic ties.

The assertion that China's cooperation is a threat is a fallacy. Instead, it offers a diversified and reliable option for LAC countries seeking to achieve their development goals. The overwhelming trend of China and LAC countries working together for stronger cooperation is irreversible. The principles of equality, mutual benefit and shared development that will be reaffirmed in May will continue to guide this partnership, ensuring a brighter future for both sides.

As changes unseen in a century are accelerating and multiple risks are intertwined, only by working together can countries maintain world peace and stability and promote global development and prosperity, Chinese President Xi Jinping said at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing. There are no winners in tariff wars and trade wars; bullying and hegemony will only result in self-isolation.

As the China-CELAC Forum celebrates its 10th anniversary, it's vital to recognize the strength and resilience of this partnership. Despite the attempts to sow discord, the commitment to mutual development and shared prosperity remains unwavering. The meeting serves as a testament to the enduring power of cooperation and a blueprint for the next decade of success, defined by mutual benefit, not geopolitics.

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