On May 21, Mr. Yang Han, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Chinese Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago, published an article titled "China and LAC Work Together for a Brighter Future" in Daily Express. He introduces in the article the important consensus and positive achievements reached at the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum, reviews the significant progress in strategic coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and LAC countries over the past ten years since the Forum's official operation, and calls on both sides to take this meeting as an opportunity to join hands to safeguard independence, peace and security, promote development and shared prosperity, and uphold multilateralism and justice, contributing more "China-LAC strength" to regional progress and global development, and jointly forging a brighter trajectory for a China-LAC community with a shared future. The full text is as follows:

On May 13, the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum convened successfully in Beijing, with President Xi Jinping joining leaders from Colombia, Brazil, and Chile in addressing the opening ceremony. Foreign ministers and senior delegates from China and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) nations gathered to chart collaborative strategies, adopting the Beijing Declaration and the Joint Action Plan for Cooperation in Key Areas (2025-2027).

Notably, the China-CELAC Forum—an anchor for mutually beneficial engagement between China and LAC countries—marked its 10th year of formal operation. Over this decade:

- Strategic coordination has deepened: China and LAC states have steadfastly supported each other’s core interests and major concerns, opposing hegemony and power politics while safeguarding the collective interests of developing nations.

- Practical cooperation has flourished: Last year’s bilateral trade hit a record $518.4 billion. More than 20 regional countries have joined the Belt and Road Initiative, with landmark projects like Peru’s Chancay Port and Trinidad and Tobago’s Phoenix Park Industrial Estate completed. New frontiers in cooperation—encompassing new energy, electric vehicles, and digital technology—are thriving.

- People-to-people ties have strengthened: China has awarded 17,000 government scholarships and provided approximately 13,000 training opportunities in China for LAC nationals. Initiatives such as the China-LAC Science and Technology Partnership and the China-LAC Cultural Exchange Year have fostered mutual understanding, with “LAC Fever” in China and “China Fever” in the region both on the rise.

These achievements underscore that China and LAC countries are advancing as a community with a shared future—one rooted in equality, driven by mutual benefit, energized by openness, and dedicated to improving people’s lives. This partnership demonstrates enduring vitality and holds immense promise for the future.

Against the backdrop of accelerating changes unseen in a century with rising protectionism and challenges to peace, the meeting sent a powerful message of unity from the Global South. As a highlight, President Xi Jinping announced the launch of Five Programmes—Solidarity, Development, Civilization, Peace, and People-to-People Connectivity—to shape a new cooperation blueprint. China aims to leverage this meeting to deepen the substantive development of the China-LAC community with a shared future, contributing “China-LAC strength” to regional progress and global development.

First, a joint strength for safeguarding independence, peace, and security: China and LAC countries should firmly support each other’s core interests and uphold the exploration of development paths suited to their respective national conditions. China stands ready to work with regional countries to implement the Global Security Initiative, support stability in Haiti, deepen cooperation and dialogue on cybersecurity, law enforcement, anti-corruption, and narcotics control, jointly combat all forms of terrorism and transnational organized crime, and provide capacity-building assistance to LAC countries for disaster management and mitigation.

Second, a joint strength for promoting development and shared prosperity: Anchored in the Global Development Initiative, cooperation will deepen in infrastructure, agriculture, clean energy, 5G, and AI. China will increase imports of LAC goods, encourage corporate investment, and extend a 66-billion-yuan RMB credit line. Over three years, it will offer 3,500 government scholarships, 10,000 training slots, and launch 300 “small and beautiful” livelihood projects. As a first step, visa exemptions will be granted to citizens of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay, with plans to expand the policy.

Third, a joint strength for upholding multilateralism and justice: China supports LAC countries’ efforts to increase their influence on the multilateral stage. China stands firmly with LAC countries to safeguard the UN-centered international system and the international law-based order, support a fair, transparent, and rule-based multilateral trading system, and voice justice in international and regional affairs. China will work with LAC countries to hold a China-LAC civilizational dialogue, implement the Global Civilization Initiative, and nurture cultural development through exchange and mutual learning.

As a Chinese saying goes, “a bosom friend afar brings a distant land near.” Trinidad and Tobago was not only one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with China in the Caribbean but also the first English-speaking country in the region to join the Belt and Road Initiative. China has always viewed T&T as a good friend and reliable partner and stands ready to work with T&T’s new government to carry forward friendship, implement meeting consensus, and deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. We are committed to fostering new growth drivers in economic diversification, digital transformation, and livelihood improvement to sustain bilateral ties and strengthen China-LAC win-win collaboration.