Wang Yi Talks about New Outcomes of China-CELAC Cooperation

On the evening of December 3, 2021, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi chaired the third Ministerial Meeting of the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and delivered a keynote speech. Wang Yi said that since its second ministerial meeting in 2018, the China-CELAC Forum has taken new steps and achieved fresh results in cooperation, laying a solid foundation for a higher-level performance of China-CELAC ties.

First, we have been sincere to, trusted and respected each other. The Latin American and Caribbean countries which have established diplomatic relations with China are stauncher supporters of the one-China principle. We have held two rounds of foreign ministers' dialogues of China and the "Quartet" of CELAC and the Meeting of National Coordinators of the China-CELAC Forum, set up the Cyber Secretariat of the China-CELAC Forum, and conducted extensive consultations and sound coordination on issues concerning each other's major interests.

Second, we have looked out for each other with one heart and mind and stood together with mutual assistance. We have fully supported each other in COVID-19 response, and successfully held a special video conference of foreign ministers on COVID-19. China has provided a total of over 300 million doses of vaccines and nearly 40 million items of anti-pandemic materials for CELAC and built a China-CELAC community of health.

Third, we have cooperated and pursued common development for the benefit of all. We have effectively implemented the China-Latin American and Caribbean Countries Cooperation Plan (2015-2019) and the Joint Action Plan of China-CELAC Cooperation (Priority Areas) (2019-2021). We have promoted the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative in Latin America in substance, and have seen annual China-CELAC trade volume above 300 billion U.S. dollars for three years in a row.

Fourth, we have learned from each other in an open and inclusive manner. We have held 33 events in 15 areas, including political party and politics, economy, trade and finance, agricultural science and technology, health care, infrastructure, digital technology, sports and youth, poverty alleviation and development, think tanks and local governments, anti-corruption and asset recovery, and new energy. We have pooled the friendly forces of all sectors of society, and made important contributions to facilitating China-CELAC cooperation and South-South cooperation.

Wang Yi said that, no matter how the international situation changes, China-CELAC cooperation in unity or the forum's development will never stop. The Declaration of the Third Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum and the China-CELAC Joint Action Plan for Cooperation in Key Areas (2022-2024) adopted at this meeting fully represent the high-level political mutual trust between China and CELAC and the positive willingness of both sides to deepen friendship. China stands ready to work with CELAC to co-defend peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, which are the common values of humanity, and join hands to promote the building of a China-CELAC community with a shared future.