Editorial: This document marks a new height in China Latin America cooperation

On December 10th, the Chinese government released its third policy document on Latin America and the Caribbean, which comprehensively elaborates on China's policy towards Latin America. This is the second time in 9 years that China has released this document, which has attracted much attention. From 2008 to 2016, and then to 2025, the three documents have been in line and kept pace with the times, witnessing the closeness, solidity, and expansion of China Latin America relations.   The new policy document defines China and Latin America as a "community with a shared future" and a "model of South South cooperation". The "Five Major Projects" have been refined as a core term, marking a new height in China Latin America cooperation.

This policy document exceeds ten thousand words and is a long "list of cooperation" between China and Latin America, as well as a "roadmap" for the future of China Latin America cooperation. From promoting China's high-quality production capacity equipment to meet the needs of Latin American countries, to promoting the development and demonstration of modern agricultural technology, to strengthening cooperation in the recovery and return of lost cultural relics, to inviting Latin American scientific researchers to participate in joint polar scientific expeditions on Chinese scientific research ships, the list includes both "hardcore" infrastructure projects that support the development of Latin American countries, as well as "heartwarming projects" such as education, healthcare, and cultural exchanges. China Latin America cooperation is upgrading comprehensively towards the deep integration of industrial and supply chains, collaborative research and development of scientific and technological innovation, and universal sharing of people's livelihoods and welfare. They not only respond to the urgent needs of Latin American countries to explore the path of modernization, but also demonstrate China's sincere commitment to common development with Latin America.

A UK poll this year shows that Latin American people's favorability towards China is rapidly increasing. Although China and Latin America cross mountains and seas, the distance between hearts is narrowing. Recently, direct flights from China to Argentina have been launched, and the "Qiankai Shanghai" route, which will turn one year old, has witnessed an increase in the import and export value of 5.35 billion yuan between China and Latin America. China's implementation of a 240 hour visa free transit policy for multiple Latin American countries has activated the two-way cultural attraction... Anchored to common development and mutual learning of civilizations, the "benefits" in the hands of Chinese and Latin American people, the "scenery" in their eyes, and the "recognition" in their hearts are growing into a flourishing future through the accumulated mutual benefit and trust.

The mutual reflection of the two ancient civilizations has provided a profound fertile ground for the deepening of China Latin America cooperation; As members of the global South, with similar stages of development, the common desire for world peace, the common pursuit of improving global governance, and the common support for multilateralism not only demonstrate the enormous potential of China Latin America cooperation, but also effectively drive the countries of the global South to unite and strengthen themselves, in the United Nations G20、APEC、 The joint voice of upholding fairness and justice and promoting global governance reform has been expressed on multilateral platforms such as the BRICS cooperation mechanism and the China Latin America Forum.

The global development initiative, global security initiative, global civilization initiative, and global governance initiative proposed by China have been widely recognized by Latin American countries. On December 9th, the "Friends of Global Governance Group" initiated by China was officially established at the United Nations headquarters. The Cuban representative stated that "building a community with a shared future for mankind requires such an initiative. China and relevant Latin American countries are continuously providing important public goods to address global challenges. This vividly reflects the significance of China Latin America cooperation beyond bilateral cooperation: for the world, a closely cooperating and jointly developing China Latin America relationship is a positive force for maintaining world peace and stability and promoting global development and prosperity.

There are some rumors in the international community that China's development of relations with Latin America is always seen as a geopolitical bargaining chip or some kind of "manipulation". However, as long as you open this document, you can see the words "not targeted, not excluded, and not subject to any third party" in black and white, reading the sincere intention of China's development of relations with Latin America from between the lines. Against the backdrop of some countries wielding the "New Monroe Doctrine" baton to impose military pressure and economic coercion on Latin American countries, China's participation in Latin American development through equal cooperation is treating Latin America as a "true friend". This is not only a cooperation paradigm different from traditional geopolitical logic, but also a vivid practice of southern countries working together to strengthen themselves and overcome development difficulties.

This' cooperation invitation 'based on equality, respect, and mutual benefit is believed to be welcomed by the people of Latin America. This document is a coordinate connecting the past and the future of China Latin America relations. It continues the traditional friendship between China and Latin America, which is equal, mutually beneficial, win-win, open and inclusive, and benefits the people. It is also based on the historical trend of the accelerated evolution of changes in the past century and the remarkable growth of the global southern momentum. From high-quality joint construction of the "the Belt and Road" to the promotion of the "five major projects", from common modernization to helping to promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind, China Latin America relations have stepped up to new heights.