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China's Policy Paper on Latin America and the Caribbean
People's Daily
Preface
The world today is undergoing unprecedented historical changes, with multi-polarization and globalization gaining momentum. The rise of emerging markets and developing countries has become an irresistible historical trend. At the same time, the world economy is recovering amidst twists and turns. Global and regional hot-spot issues take place frequently. Traditional and non-traditional security threats are intertwined. Safeguarding world peace and promoting common development remains a daunting task.
China has entered a crucial stage in achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. In order to fulfill the “two centenary goals” of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects by 2020 and turning the nation into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious by the mid-21st century, China has been actively promoting the construction of a socialist market economy, socialist democracy, advanced culture, a harmonious society, as well as ecological civilization. China adheres to the independent foreign policy of peace and is unswerving in its implementation of the opening-up policy. China stands ready to expand common interests with other countries, promote the construction of a new type of international relations with win-win cooperation at the core, and forge a community of shared future.
The development of China cannot be possible without the development of other developing countries, including countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Since 2013, the Chinese leadership has set forth a series of major initiatives and measures on strengthening China's relations and cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean in a wide range of areas, which has provided new development goals and new driving forces for the relations. Building on the previous achievements, the Chinese government hereby releases its second policy paper on Latin America and the Caribbean, to summarize experience, draw a blueprint for the future, provide a comprehensive explanation of the new ideas, proposals and initiatives in China’s Latin America and Caribbean policy for the new era, and promote China's cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean in various areas.
Part I Latin America and the Caribbean: A Land Full of Vitality and Hope
As important members of emerging economies and the developing world, Latin American and Caribbean countries play a major role in safeguarding world peace and development. Since the dawn of the new century, Latin American and Caribbean countries have actively explored development paths suited to their own conditions and attained achievements that have attracted the world’s attention.
Faced with changes in the external environment triggered by the global financial crisis, all countries are taking active steps to cope with the challenges and maintain and promote inclusive and sustainable economic and social development. Latin America and the Caribbean as a whole boasts huge development potentials and bright prospects, making it a rising force in the global landscape.
Part II China's Relations with Latin America and the Caribbean in the New Stage of Comprehensive Cooperation
Though far apart, China and Latin America and the Caribbean have a long history of people's friendship. After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, with the concerted efforts of several generations, the relations between China and Latin America and the Caribbean have gone through a remarkable journey.
In 2008, the Chinese government issued its first policy paper on Latin America and the Caribbean, putting forward the goal of establishing a comprehensive and cooperative partnership featuring equality, mutual benefit and common development with Latin American and Caribbean countries. In 2014, leaders of the two sides held a meeting in Brasilia and jointly announced the establishment of the comprehensive and cooperative partnership of equality, mutual benefit and common development. Since then, the relations have entered a new stage of comprehensive cooperation. The two sides have witnessed frequent high-level exchanges and political dialogues, all-round and rapid development in trade, investment, finance and other areas, and increasingly close cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The two sides have also supported and closely coordinated with each other in international affairs. The establishment of the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (China-CELAC Forum) has provided a new platform for cooperation between the two sides, setting the course for simultaneous and complementary development of bilateral and collective cooperation between China and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Based on equality and mutual benefit, the comprehensive and cooperative partnership between China and Latin America and the Caribbean is oriented towards common development. It does not target or exclude any third party. It conforms to the fundamental interests of the two sides and the trends of our times featuring world peace, development and cooperation, and serves as a shining example of developing countries working together to seek common development, shoulder common responsibilities and cope with common challenges in the new era.
Part III Bringing the Comprehensive and Cooperative Partnership to New Heights
China is committed to building a new relationship with Latin America and the Caribbean with five salient features, namely, sincerity and mutual trust in the political field, win-win cooperation on the economic front, mutual learning in culture, close coordination in international affairs, as well as mutual reinforcement between China's cooperation with the region as a whole and its bilateral relations with individual countries in the region. We aim to bring the comprehensive and cooperative partnership to a new height by bringing the two sides into a community of shared future in which all countries join hands in development.
— Sticking to the principle of equality and sincere mutual support is the fundamental premise of the development of relations between China and Latin America and the Caribbean. China adheres to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and maintains that all countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are equal members of the international community. China respects the right of Latin American and Caribbean countries to choose their own paths of development and is ready to work with Latin American and Caribbean countries to strengthen exchanges in governance experience, deepen strategic mutual trust and continue to understand and support each other on issues of core interests and major concerns, such as state sovereignty, territorial integrity, stability and development.
The one China principle is an important political foundation for China to develop its relations with other countries in the world. The Chinese government appreciates that the vast majority of Latin American and Caribbean countries abide by the one China principle and support China’s great cause of reunification. China is ready to establish and develop state-to-state relations with Latin American and Caribbean countries on the basis of the one China principle.
— Seeking mutually beneficial cooperation and common development is the endogenous driving force for the development of the relations. China is ready to work with Latin American and Caribbean countries to build the new “1+3+6” framework for pragmatic cooperation (i.e. guided by the China-Latin American and Caribbean Countries Cooperation Plan (2015–2019), utilizing trade, investment and financial cooperation as driving forces, and identifying energy and resources, infrastructure construction, agriculture, manufacturing, scientific and technological innovation and information technology as cooperation priorities), actively explore the new “3x3” model for capacity cooperation (which refers to jointly building the three major passages of logistics, electricity and information in Latin America, enabling healthy interactions among the enterprise, society and government, and expanding the three financing channels of funds, credit loans and insurance), and speed up quality improvement and upgrading of the cooperation between China and Latin America and the Caribbean.
— Exchanges and mutual learning, as well as carrying forward the friendship from generation to generation, is the solid foundation of the relations. China stands ready to strengthen exchanges with Latin American and Caribbean governments, legislative bodies, political parties, and entities at the local level and cooperation in the fields of education, science and technology, culture, sports, health, journalism and tourism. China will actively hold dialogues between civilizations to bring the hearts of our peoples closer, and make contributions to promoting the harmonious coexistence of different civilizations in the world.
— China and Latin American and Caribbean countries share a global responsibility in promoting international cooperation, equity and justice. China is ready to strengthen communication and cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean countries within the international multilateral mechanisms, and jointly safeguard the international order and system with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter as its core. China will advance multi-polarization, promote democracy and the rule of law in international relations and enhance the representation and voice of developing countries. China is ready to deepen South-South cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean countries, consolidate multilateral trading systems, promote global governance reform and build an open world economic system.
— To promote complementary development of collective and bilateral cooperation is the strategic path for developing China-Latin America and the Caribbean relations. China appreciates and supports the important role played by regional and sub-regional organizations of Latin America and the Caribbean in regional and international affairs. Upholding the principle of equality, seeking mutual benefit and “win-win” results with flexible and pragmatic ways of collaboration and in a spirit of openness and inclusiveness, China will promote collective cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean mainly through the platform of China-CELAC Forum, and strengthen dialogue and cooperation with relevant sub-regional organizations and multilateral financial institutions, so as to create a balanced, all-round network of collective cooperation between China and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Part IV Further Strengthening Cooperation in All Fields
1. In the Political Field
(1) High-Level Exchanges
China wishes to give full play to the guiding role of high-level exchanges, maintain exchanges of visits and meetings at multilateral international events between leaders of China and Latin America and the Caribbean, and strengthen communication on bilateral relations and major issues of common concern.
(2) Exchanges of Experience on Governance
The two sides should draw lessons and wisdom from their historical traditions and development practices, and further strengthen exchanges of experience on governance and development, so as to boost common development. Latin American and Caribbean countries are welcome to take an active part in the International Development Knowledge Center established by China.
(3) Inter-governmental Dialogue and Consultation Mechanisms
Efforts will be made to give full play to the role of mechanisms such as the high-level coordination and cooperation committee, high-level mixed committee, inter-governmental standing committee, strategic dialogue, mixed committee on economy and trade, and political consultation, and further improve the relevant mechanisms to enhance inter-governmental dialogue and cooperation.
(4) Exchanges Between Legislatures
On the basis of respecting each other, deepening understanding and promoting cooperation, the National People’s Congress of China wishes to strengthen multi-level, multi-channel friendly exchanges with national parliaments and regional and sub-regional parliamentary organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean through high-level exchanges and exchanges at other levels such as special committees, friendship groups and offices.
(5) Exchanges Between Political Parties
On the basis of independence, full equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, the Communist Party of China wishes to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with political parties and organizations of Latin American and Caribbean countries, so as to further enhance mutual understanding and trust.
(6) Local Exchanges
Active support will be given to local governments on both sides to conduct friendly exchanges and cooperation, share experience in local development and governance, and promote cooperation among local governments in relevant international organizations.
2. In the Economic Field
(1) Trade
Efforts will be made to tap into trade potentials between the two sides, promote the trade of specialty products, goods with competitive advantages or high added-value, and technology-intensive products, and strengthen trade in services and e-commerce cooperation between China and Latin American and Caribbean countries. Based on the principle of reciprociy and mutual benefit, China will discuss with Latin American and Caribbean countries the establishment of long-term and stable trade relations and various trade facilitation arrangements including the FTA. Trade frictions will be properly handled to promote sound and balanced development and structural diversification of trade between the two sides.
(2) Industrial Investment and Capacity Cooperation
China will encourage its enterprises to expand and optimize investment in Latin American and Caribbean countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. China wishes to sign more agreements on investment protection, avoidance of double taxation and tax evasion with Latin American and Caribbean countries, so as to create favorable environment and conditions for investment cooperation between enterprises of both sides.
Upholding the principle of business-led and market-oriented cooperation for mutual economic and social benefits, China will support the efforts of Chinese enterprises to invest and start business in Latin American and Caribbean countries, and align high-quality capacity and advantageous equipment of China with the needs of Latin American and Caribbean countries, in order to help the countries in need to enhance their capacity for independent development.
(3) Financial Cooperation
China will support its financial institutions to strengthen business exchanges and cooperation with national, regional and international financial institutions in Latin American and Caribbean countries and further improve the construction of branch networks in the region. Efforts will be made to enhance dialogue and cooperation between the central banks and financial regulatory authorities of the two sides, expand cross-border local currency settlement, discuss RMB clearing arrangements, and steadily promote monetary cooperation. On the basis of bilateral financial cooperation, and giving full play to the role of China-Latin America Cooperation Fund, concessional loans, special loans for Chinese-Latin American infrastructure, China-Latin American Production Capacity Cooperation Investment Fund, and relevant financing arrangements between China and Caribbean countries, China will actively explore cooperation forms including insurance and financial lease, continuously expand cooperation with regional financial institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean, and support cooperation in key areas and major projects between the two sides.
(4) Energy and Resources Cooperation
China wishes to expand and deepen cooperation in the fields of energy and resources with Latin American and Caribbean countries based on the principle of win-win cooperation and sustainable development. Efforts will be made to bring cooperation to upstream business such as exploration and development, so as to consolidate the foundation for cooperation and expand resources potentials; and at the same time, cooperation will be extended to downstream and supporting industries such as smelting, processing, logistics trade and equipment manufacturing, so as to improve added value of products. China is ready to actively explore with Latin American and Caribbean countries the establishment of mechanisms for long-term supply of energy and resources products and local currency pricing and settlement, to reduce the impact of external economic and financial risks.
(5) Infrastructure Cooperation
China will strengthen cooperation on technical consultation, construction and engineering, equipment manufacturing and operation management in the fields of transportation, trade logistics, storage facilities, information and communication technology, energy and power, water conservancy, housing and urban construction. China will support and encourage competent enterprises and financial institutions to actively participate in the planning and construction of logistics, power and information passages in Latin American and Caribbean countries, and actively explore new ways of cooperation, such as the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, so as to promote the connectivity of infrastructure in Latin America and the Caribbean.
(6) Manufacturing Cooperation
China will support its strong enterprises to participate in major resources and energy development projects and infrastructure construction projects in Latin American and Caribbean countries and, using these projects as the basis, to build production lines and maintenance service bases in the region for construction materials, non-ferrous metals, engineering machinery, locomotives and rolling stock, electric power and communication equipment, with the purpose of reducing costs for resources and energy development and infrastructure construction in Latin American and Caribbean countries. China will encourage its enterprises to go to Latin American and Caribbean countries to carry out cooperation in such fields as automobiles, new energy equipment, motorcycles and chemical industry, which will cover the whole industrial chain, so that the two sides can complement each other, increase local employment, upgrade the level of industrialization and promote local economic and social development. Based on the business-led and market-oriented principles, discussiones will be held on the joint construction of industrial parks, logistics parks, high-tech industrial parks, special economic zones and other industrial agglomeration areas, so as to help Latin American and Caribbean countries in their industrial upgrading. Exchanges and cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises of the two sides will be encouraged by building relevant platforms and creating good environment for them.
(7) Agricultural Cooperation
Efforts will be made to encourage enterprises on both sides to actively engage in agricultural trade, push for further exchanges and cooperation in agricultural science and technology, personnel training and other fields, deepen cooperation in livestock and poultry breeding, forestry, fishery and aquaculture, and jointly promote food security. China will continue to set up and improve agricultural technology demonstration programs, promote the development and demonstration of modern agricultural technologies, and enhance agricultural technology innovation, agricultural production and processing capacity and international competitiveness on both sides. Bilateral mechanisms for agricultural information exchanges and cooperation will be improved while giving full play to the role of the special fund for China-Latin America agricultural cooperation, and more agricultural cooperation projects are encouraged.
(8) Scientific and Technological Innovation
China will actively explore the expansion of its cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean countries in high-tech fields such as information industry, civil aviation, civil nuclear energy and new energy, to build more joint laboratories, R&D centers and high-tech parks, support innovative enterprises and research institutions on both sides to carry out exchanges and cooperation, and promote joint research and development. China will encourage dialogue and exchanges between scientific and technological talents on both sides, and support more outstanding young scientists from Latin America and the Caribbean to come to China for short-term scientific research.
(9) Space Cooperation
China will actively explore cooperation between the two sides in such fields as communication and remote sensing satellites, satellite data application, aerospace infrastructure, and space education and training, and promote space technology application in disaster prevention and mitigation, agricultural and forestry monitoring, climate change and other fields. China will pay full attention to the role of space technology as a driving force for the scientific, technological and industrial development of Latin American and Caribbean countries, and promote sustainable development in science and technology and the economic fields.
(10) Maritime Cooperation
China will actively explore cooperation between the two sides in marine science and technology, marine ecological environment protection, marine climate change, marine disaster prevention and mitigation and other fields, and carry out marine economic development in accordance with local conditions, so as to promote the development of maritime affairs between the two sides.
(11) Cooperation on Customs and Quality Inspection
Exchanges and consultations between customs and quality inspection departments from both sides will be strengthened, to promote trade security and facilitation, and ensure product quality and food safety. China will advance the implementation, negotiation, or signing of cooperation documents with Latin American and Caribbean countries regarding customs administrative assistance, animal and plant products quarantine access, etc. Active steps will be taken to carry out cooperation and exchanges on customs capacity building, trade facilitation, capacity building, goods trade statistics, and standardization.
(12) Cooperation Between Trade and Investment Promotion Institutions and Business Associations of the Two Sides
China will deepen its cooperation with trade and investment promotion institutions and business associations in Latin American and Caribbean countries, and facilitate, by making use of relevant mechanisms and platforms for bilateral and collective cooperation, exchanges between enterprises of the two sides, so as to achieve win-win cooperation.
(13) Economic and Technical Assistance
Based on full respect for the will of related countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, and in accordance with China’s financial capacity and level of economic and social development, China will continue to provide economic and technical assistance to Latin American and Caribbean countries without attaching any political conditions and, in accordance with the needs of related countries, gradually increase the scale of assistance within its capacity. China will innovate the assistance model, giving priority to human resources development, development planning, economic policy consulting and training, infrastructure construction, agriculture and food security, poverty reduction, climate change and humanitarian assistance.
3.In the Social Aspects
(1) Social Governance and Social Development
China is ready to conduct exchanges and cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean countries on strengthening and innovating social governance, to share and learn from each other’s experience in governance, jointly promote the modernization of governance system and governance capacity, continuously enhance the level of socialization, rule of law and refinement of social governance, and ensure social stability and order, as well as long-term national stability.
Efforts will be made to promote further exchanges and cooperation in social development areas such as social welfare and social assistance, strengthen policy sharing, and promote and realize practical cooperation in providing services and assistance to special groups such as the elderly, the disabled, and children, as well as urban and rural disadvantaged groups.
(2) Cooperation on Environmental Protection, Climate Change and Disaster Reduction
China will further develop and consolidate its cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other relevant mechanisms, and actively promote consultation, exchanges and project cooperation to cope with the climate change. China will deepen policy dialogue, information sharing, experience exchange, capacity building and technical cooperation in the fields of water resources planning and utilization, ecosystem protection, river-lake management, disaster reduction and relief, and Hippophae rhamnoides cultivation. Efforts will be made to promote the establishment of regular multilateral and bilateral meeting mechanisms between relevant departments of the two sides.
(3) Poverty Reduction Cooperation
China will promote dialogue and exchanges in fields such as poverty reduction, hunger elimination, and narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor, by sharing information on poverty identification as well as experience concerning targeted poverty alleviation. China will engage in technical cooperation to enhance capacity building for poverty reduction, and promote the formulation of economic and social policies in favor of the poor and disadvantaged on both sides. Efforts will also be made to encourage and support high-level exchanges between relevant departments of the two sides, and hold the China-Latin America Poverty Reduction and Development Forum in a timely manner.
(4) Health Cooperation
China will expand exchanges and cooperation in disease control, regional or global epidemic diseases, and response to public health emergencies. The Chinese side will continue to help Latin American and Caribbean countries train medical personnel and improve medical facilities, send medical teams to these countries, and stand ready to provide assistance within its capacity for the prevention and control of sudden outbreak of infectious diseases.
4. In the Cultural and People-to-people Fields
(1) Cultural and Sports Exchanges and Cooperation
Regular dialogue will be maintained between the cultural authorities of the two sides, to promote high-level cultural exchanges and implement the plans and the cultural cooperation agreements signed between the two sides. The two sides will support and encourage their high-profile cultural groups and artists to participate or show their works in international art festivals and visual art exhibitions hosted by China or Latin American and Caribbean countries. Efforts will be made to carry out dialogue among civilizations and support “Cultural Exchange Year” activities between China and Latin American and Caribbean countries. Cooperation will be encouraged in the protection of cultural heritage and the fight against theft, illegal excavation and illegal entry and exit of national borders of cultural properties.
The two sides will strengthen sports exchanges and practical cooperation, encourage their athletes to participate in various sports events held in each other's countries, and build more high-level sports centers. Exchange of experience on advantageous sports of each other will help enhance sports level of both sides.
(2) Education and Human Resources Training
China will promote educational exchanges, mobility research projects, as well as cooperation between educational departments and institutions. China will support and encourage the training of talents specialized in the Chinese, English, Spanish and Portuguese languages, support Latin American and Caribbean countries to promote Chinese language teaching, and continue to advance the construction and development of Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms. China will strengthen human resources development, capacity-building and cooperation in various fields, and increase the government scholarships for students from Latin American and Caribbean countries. Exchanges and cooperation in vocational education will also be carried out in an active manner.
(3) Exchanges and Cooperation in Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television
China will strengthen dialogue and cooperation in press, publication, radio, film and television, and encourage the signing of bilateral agreements on radio, film and television with Latin American and Caribbean Countries. The two sides will encourage the exchanges and co-production of programs and participation in festivals or exhibitions on press, publication, radio, film or television held in each other's countries, and strengthen personnel exchanges as well as media technology and industrial cooperation. The two sides will support the exchange of resident journalists and carry out joint interviews, exchange of news and personnel training. Strong and influential Internet media from both sides will be encouraged to enhance cooperation in portal development, new media capacity building and other aspects. The two sides will also encourage the publishing industry on both sides to engage in cooperation and explore the mutual translation of philosophical and cultural classics, so as to translate and publish more classic works.
(4) Tourism Cooperation
China will encourage tourism authorities and enterprises on both sides to introduce tourism resources and products to each other and expand tourism cooperation. China will explore and issue more facilitation policies to promote two-way tourism, and support the negotiation for more direct flights between aviation authorities of the two sides. China will strengthen dialogue and cooperation with consumer protection departments of Latin American and Caribbean countries, with priority given to the protection of consumer rights of international travellers.
(5) Academic and Think Tank Exchanges
China will actively support academic research institutions and think tanks on both sides to carry out subject research, academic exchanges, seminars, publications and other forms of communication and cooperation. Cooperative research between universities of both sides will also be encouraged.
(6) Non-governmental Exchanges
China will encourage non-governmental exchanges and support social organizations to carry out various forms of friendly exchanges and public welfare activities. China will promote communication between government departments on youth affairs and youth organizations on both sides, and continue to support the “Future Bridge” Training Program for One Thousand Chinese and Latin American Youth Leaders and the Latin American Youth Cadres Training Program. The two sides will deepen friendly cooperation between women’s organizations and promote gender equality and women's empowerment. Non-governmental players of both sides will be encouraged to cooperate in areas such as disaster prevention and reduction, health promotion and livelihood development at the community level. In time of major natural disasters, domestic humanitarian assistance organizations will be supported in conducting international urgent humanitarian assistance.
(7) Consular Cooperation
Efforts will be made to strengthen and expand exchanges and cooperation between the consular departments of the two sides, make good use of the consular consultation mechanism and earnestly safeguard the safety and legitimate rights and interests of their enterprises and citizens in each other's countries. Support will be given to institutional arrangements to facilitate personnel exchanges between the two sides.
5. International Collaboration
(1) International Political Affairs
Efforts will be made to deepen exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in the UN and other international organizations and on other international platforms, maintain communication and coordination on major international and regional issues, promote multi-polarization and democracy in international relations, enhance the voice of developing countries in international affairs, and safeguard common interests of both sides as well as other developing countries.
(2) Global Economic Governance
China will work to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean countries in international economic and financial organizations and mechanisms such as the Group of 20, APEC, IMF, World Bank, Bank for International Settlements, Financial Stability Board and Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, advance multilateral trade negotiation processes with the WTO as the core, promote the establishment of a balanced, win-win and inclusive multilateral trading system, and promote economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region. China will call on the international community to continue to promote global economic governance reform, improve and perfect global economic and financial rules, further advance the IMF reforms on quotas and governance, support the World Bank to move forward with shareholding review in accordance with the roadmap and timetable agreed upon by all parties, and increase the representation of emerging markets and developing countries. China will also promote the construction of a global financial security network, to enhance the world’s capabilities to respond to systemic shocks, and strengthen monitoring and prevention of global and regional systemic risks.
(3) Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
China is ready to work with Latin American and Caribbean countries to promote global, win-win cooperation in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit. China will support the international community to improve global partnerships, strengthen the main channel status of North-South cooperation, and urge developed countries to fulfill their commitments on official development assistance, while placing importance on the role of South-South cooperation and trilateral cooperation. China stands ready to provide support and assistance within its capacity to Latin American and Caribbean countries in their efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
(4) Response to Climate Change
China will support the main channel status of the UNFCCC in the international response to climate change. China will adhere to the principles and provisions of the UNFCCC, particularly the principles of equity, common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, and promote the implementation of the Paris Agreement. China calls on the international community to pay close attention to the special concerns of small island developing states in the Caribbean, promote the establishment of a global climate governance system that is equitable and reasonable for win-win cooperation, and advance the comprehensive, effective and sustained implementation of the UNFCCC.
(5) Cyber Security
Based on the principles of peace, sovereignty, co-governance and universal benefits, the Chinese government is ready to work with Latin American and Caribbean countries to build a cyber space featuring peace, security, openness and cooperation, build a multilateral, democratic and transparent Internet governance system, and develop a code of conduct for international cyber space acceptable to all parties and international legal documents against cybercrimes under the UN framework. China opposes any engagement in the destruction of a country’s political, economic or social stability by making use of the Internet.
6. On Peace, Security and Judicial Affairs
(1) Military Exchanges and Cooperation
China will actively carry out military exchanges and cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean countries, increase friendly exchanges between defense and military leaders from the two sides, strengthen policy dialogue and set up working meeting mechanisms, conduct exchanges of visits between delegations and vessels, deepen professional exchanges in such fields as military training, personnel training and UN peacekeeping, expand pragmatic cooperation in humanitarian relief, counter-terrorism and other non-traditional security fields, and enhance cooperation in military trade and military technology.
(2) Cooperation in Judicial and Police Affairs
China will speed up the signing process of treaties concerning judicial assistance in criminal matters, and expand cooperation in such areas as fighting crimes, fugitive repatriation and asset recovery. China will actively carry out police and procuratorial exchanges and cooperation, strengthen and expand cooperation in the areas of extradition, repatriation of criminal suspects, transfer of sentenced persons, and criminal assets attachment, seizure, confiscation and return, coordinate both sides’ positions in international multilateral judicial cooperation, and jointly combat non-traditional security threats such as terrorism and cross-border crimes, including corruption, cybercrimes, drug-related crimes and economic crimes. Efforts will also be made to negotiate and sign treaties on judicial assistance in civil and commercial matters and conduct judicial exchanges and cooperation between courts of the two sides.
7. Collective Cooperation
Based on the spirit and main objectives of the Beijing Declaration of the First Ministerial Meeting of China-CELAC Forum, the China-Latin American and Caribbean Countries Cooperation Plan (2015-2019), and the Institutional Arrangements and Operating Rules of China-CELAC Forum, China is ready to work with Latin American and Caribbean countries to uphold the principles of respect, equality, diversity, mutual benefit, cooperation, openness, inclusiveness and unconditionality, and actively promote cooperation in various fields under the framework of the Forum. Efforts will be made to give full play to the role of such mechanisms as the ministerial meeting, the dialogue of foreign ministers of China and the “Quartet” of CELAC, and the meeting of national coordinators, hold successfully the sub-forums on political parties, law, youth, think tanks, infrastructure, innovation in science and technology, entrepreneurs, agriculture, non-governmental and local friendship, as well as China-Caribbean Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum, continuously improve the institution building of the China-CELAC Forum, and hold summits to be attended by state leaders of China and CELAC member states when conditions are ripe.
China welcomes the active participation of regional organizations and multilateral institutions of Latin America and the Caribbean in the collective cooperation between the two sides, and will accommodate the needs of the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing countries of the region in the collective cooperation.
8. Trilateral Cooperation
China is ready to carry out trilateral development cooperation in Latin American and Caribbean countries with relevant countries outside the region and international organizations under the premise that such cooperation is proposed, agreed upon and dominated by countries in the region.
China encourages its enterprises to carry out trilateral cooperation in economic, social and cultural fields in Latin American and Caribbean countries with relevant parties on the basis of commercial principles.
(Source: People's Daily)
Preface
The world today is undergoing unprecedented historical changes, with multi-polarization and globalization gaining momentum. The rise of emerging markets and developing countries has become an irresistible historical trend. At the same time, the world economy is recovering amidst twists and turns. Global and regional hot-spot issues take place frequently. Traditional and non-traditional security threats are intertwined. Safeguarding world peace and promoting common development remains a daunting task.
China has entered a crucial stage in achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. In order to fulfill the “two centenary goals” of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects by 2020 and turning the nation into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious by the mid-21st century, China has been actively promoting the construction of a socialist market economy, socialist democracy, advanced culture, a harmonious society, as well as ecological civilization. China adheres to the independent foreign policy of peace and is unswerving in its implementation of the opening-up policy. China stands ready to expand common interests with other countries, promote the construction of a new type of international relations with win-win cooperation at the core, and forge a community of shared future.
The development of China cannot be possible without the development of other developing countries, including countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Since 2013, the Chinese leadership has set forth a series of major initiatives and measures on strengthening China's relations and cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean in a wide range of areas, which has provided new development goals and new driving forces for the relations. Building on the previous achievements, the Chinese government hereby releases its second policy paper on Latin America and the Caribbean, to summarize experience, draw a blueprint for the future, provide a comprehensive explanation of the new ideas, proposals and initiatives in China’s Latin America and Caribbean policy for the new era, and promote China's cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean in various areas.
Part I Latin America and the Caribbean: A Land Full of Vitality and Hope
As important members of emerging economies and the developing world, Latin American and Caribbean countries play a major role in safeguarding world peace and development. Since the dawn of the new century, Latin American and Caribbean countries have actively explored development paths suited to their own conditions and attained achievements that have attracted the world’s attention.
Faced with changes in the external environment triggered by the global financial crisis, all countries are taking active steps to cope with the challenges and maintain and promote inclusive and sustainable economic and social development. Latin America and the Caribbean as a whole boasts huge development potentials and bright prospects, making it a rising force in the global landscape.
Part II China's Relations with Latin America and the Caribbean in the New Stage of Comprehensive Cooperation
Though far apart, China and Latin America and the Caribbean have a long history of people's friendship. After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, with the concerted efforts of several generations, the relations between China and Latin America and the Caribbean have gone through a remarkable journey.
In 2008, the Chinese government issued its first policy paper on Latin America and the Caribbean, putting forward the goal of establishing a comprehensive and cooperative partnership featuring equality, mutual benefit and common development with Latin American and Caribbean countries. In 2014, leaders of the two sides held a meeting in Brasilia and jointly announced the establishment of the comprehensive and cooperative partnership of equality, mutual benefit and common development. Since then, the relations have entered a new stage of comprehensive cooperation. The two sides have witnessed frequent high-level exchanges and political dialogues, all-round and rapid development in trade, investment, finance and other areas, and increasingly close cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The two sides have also supported and closely coordinated with each other in international affairs. The establishment of the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (China-CELAC Forum) has provided a new platform for cooperation between the two sides, setting the course for simultaneous and complementary development of bilateral and collective cooperation between China and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Based on equality and mutual benefit, the comprehensive and cooperative partnership between China and Latin America and the Caribbean is oriented towards common development. It does not target or exclude any third party. It conforms to the fundamental interests of the two sides and the trends of our times featuring world peace, development and cooperation, and serves as a shining example of developing countries working together to seek common development, shoulder common responsibilities and cope with common challenges in the new era.
Part III Bringing the Comprehensive and Cooperative Partnership to New Heights
China is committed to building a new relationship with Latin America and the Caribbean with five salient features, namely, sincerity and mutual trust in the political field, win-win cooperation on the economic front, mutual learning in culture, close coordination in international affairs, as well as mutual reinforcement between China's cooperation with the region as a whole and its bilateral relations with individual countries in the region. We aim to bring the comprehensive and cooperative partnership to a new height by bringing the two sides into a community of shared future in which all countries join hands in development.
— Sticking to the principle of equality and sincere mutual support is the fundamental premise of the development of relations between China and Latin America and the Caribbean. China adheres to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and maintains that all countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are equal members of the international community. China respects the right of Latin American and Caribbean countries to choose their own paths of development and is ready to work with Latin American and Caribbean countries to strengthen exchanges in governance experience, deepen strategic mutual trust and continue to understand and support each other on issues of core interests and major concerns, such as state sovereignty, territorial integrity, stability and development.
The one China principle is an important political foundation for China to develop its relations with other countries in the world. The Chinese government appreciates that the vast majority of Latin American and Caribbean countries abide by the one China principle and support China’s great cause of reunification. China is ready to establish and develop state-to-state relations with Latin American and Caribbean countries on the basis of the one China principle.
— Seeking mutually beneficial cooperation and common development is the endogenous driving force for the development of the relations. China is ready to work with Latin American and Caribbean countries to build the new “1+3+6” framework for pragmatic cooperation (i.e. guided by the China-Latin American and Caribbean Countries Cooperation Plan (2015–2019), utilizing trade, investment and financial cooperation as driving forces, and identifying energy and resources, infrastructure construction, agriculture, manufacturing, scientific and technological innovation and information technology as cooperation priorities), actively explore the new “3x3” model for capacity cooperation (which refers to jointly building the three major passages of logistics, electricity and information in Latin America, enabling healthy interactions among the enterprise, society and government, and expanding the three financing channels of funds, credit loans and insurance), and speed up quality improvement and upgrading of the cooperation between China and Latin America and the Caribbean.
— Exchanges and mutual learning, as well as carrying forward the friendship from generation to generation, is the solid foundation of the relations. China stands ready to strengthen exchanges with Latin American and Caribbean governments, legislative bodies, political parties, and entities at the local level and cooperation in the fields of education, science and technology, culture, sports, health, journalism and tourism. China will actively hold dialogues between civilizations to bring the hearts of our peoples closer, and make contributions to promoting the harmonious coexistence of different civilizations in the world.
— China and Latin American and Caribbean countries share a global responsibility in promoting international cooperation, equity and justice. China is ready to strengthen communication and cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean countries within the international multilateral mechanisms, and jointly safeguard the international order and system with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter as its core. China will advance multi-polarization, promote democracy and the rule of law in international relations and enhance the representation and voice of developing countries. China is ready to deepen South-South cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean countries, consolidate multilateral trading systems, promote global governance reform and build an open world economic system.
— To promote complementary development of collective and bilateral cooperation is the strategic path for developing China-Latin America and the Caribbean relations. China appreciates and supports the important role played by regional and sub-regional organizations of Latin America and the Caribbean in regional and international affairs. Upholding the principle of equality, seeking mutual benefit and “win-win” results with flexible and pragmatic ways of collaboration and in a spirit of openness and inclusiveness, China will promote collective cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean mainly through the platform of China-CELAC Forum, and strengthen dialogue and cooperation with relevant sub-regional organizations and multilateral financial institutions, so as to create a balanced, all-round network of collective cooperation between China and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Part IV Further Strengthening Cooperation in All Fields
1. In the Political Field
(1) High-Level Exchanges
China wishes to give full play to the guiding role of high-level exchanges, maintain exchanges of visits and meetings at multilateral international events between leaders of China and Latin America and the Caribbean, and strengthen communication on bilateral relations and major issues of common concern.
(2) Exchanges of Experience on Governance
The two sides should draw lessons and wisdom from their historical traditions and development practices, and further strengthen exchanges of experience on governance and development, so as to boost common development. Latin American and Caribbean countries are welcome to take an active part in the International Development Knowledge Center established by China.
(3) Inter-governmental Dialogue and Consultation Mechanisms
Efforts will be made to give full play to the role of mechanisms such as the high-level coordination and cooperation committee, high-level mixed committee, inter-governmental standing committee, strategic dialogue, mixed committee on economy and trade, and political consultation, and further improve the relevant mechanisms to enhance inter-governmental dialogue and cooperation.
(4) Exchanges Between Legislatures
On the basis of respecting each other, deepening understanding and promoting cooperation, the National People’s Congress of China wishes to strengthen multi-level, multi-channel friendly exchanges with national parliaments and regional and sub-regional parliamentary organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean through high-level exchanges and exchanges at other levels such as special committees, friendship groups and offices.
(5) Exchanges Between Political Parties
On the basis of independence, full equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, the Communist Party of China wishes to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with political parties and organizations of Latin American and Caribbean countries, so as to further enhance mutual understanding and trust.
(6) Local Exchanges
Active support will be given to local governments on both sides to conduct friendly exchanges and cooperation, share experience in local development and governance, and promote cooperation among local governments in relevant international organizations.
2. In the Economic Field
(1) Trade
Efforts will be made to tap into trade potentials between the two sides, promote the trade of specialty products, goods with competitive advantages or high added-value, and technology-intensive products, and strengthen trade in services and e-commerce cooperation between China and Latin American and Caribbean countries. Based on the principle of reciprociy and mutual benefit, China will discuss with Latin American and Caribbean countries the establishment of long-term and stable trade relations and various trade facilitation arrangements including the FTA. Trade frictions will be properly handled to promote sound and balanced development and structural diversification of trade between the two sides.
(2) Industrial Investment and Capacity Cooperation
China will encourage its enterprises to expand and optimize investment in Latin American and Caribbean countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. China wishes to sign more agreements on investment protection, avoidance of double taxation and tax evasion with Latin American and Caribbean countries, so as to create favorable environment and conditions for investment cooperation between enterprises of both sides.
Upholding the principle of business-led and market-oriented cooperation for mutual economic and social benefits, China will support the efforts of Chinese enterprises to invest and start business in Latin American and Caribbean countries, and align high-quality capacity and advantageous equipment of China with the needs of Latin American and Caribbean countries, in order to help the countries in need to enhance their capacity for independent development.
(3) Financial Cooperation
China will support its financial institutions to strengthen business exchanges and cooperation with national, regional and international financial institutions in Latin American and Caribbean countries and further improve the construction of branch networks in the region. Efforts will be made to enhance dialogue and cooperation between the central banks and financial regulatory authorities of the two sides, expand cross-border local currency settlement, discuss RMB clearing arrangements, and steadily promote monetary cooperation. On the basis of bilateral financial cooperation, and giving full play to the role of China-Latin America Cooperation Fund, concessional loans, special loans for Chinese-Latin American infrastructure, China-Latin American Production Capacity Cooperation Investment Fund, and relevant financing arrangements between China and Caribbean countries, China will actively explore cooperation forms including insurance and financial lease, continuously expand cooperation with regional financial institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean, and support cooperation in key areas and major projects between the two sides.
(4) Energy and Resources Cooperation
China wishes to expand and deepen cooperation in the fields of energy and resources with Latin American and Caribbean countries based on the principle of win-win cooperation and sustainable development. Efforts will be made to bring cooperation to upstream business such as exploration and development, so as to consolidate the foundation for cooperation and expand resources potentials; and at the same time, cooperation will be extended to downstream and supporting industries such as smelting, processing, logistics trade and equipment manufacturing, so as to improve added value of products. China is ready to actively explore with Latin American and Caribbean countries the establishment of mechanisms for long-term supply of energy and resources products and local currency pricing and settlement, to reduce the impact of external economic and financial risks.
(5) Infrastructure Cooperation
China will strengthen cooperation on technical consultation, construction and engineering, equipment manufacturing and operation management in the fields of transportation, trade logistics, storage facilities, information and communication technology, energy and power, water conservancy, housing and urban construction. China will support and encourage competent enterprises and financial institutions to actively participate in the planning and construction of logistics, power and information passages in Latin American and Caribbean countries, and actively explore new ways of cooperation, such as the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, so as to promote the connectivity of infrastructure in Latin America and the Caribbean.
(6) Manufacturing Cooperation
China will support its strong enterprises to participate in major resources and energy development projects and infrastructure construction projects in Latin American and Caribbean countries and, using these projects as the basis, to build production lines and maintenance service bases in the region for construction materials, non-ferrous metals, engineering machinery, locomotives and rolling stock, electric power and communication equipment, with the purpose of reducing costs for resources and energy development and infrastructure construction in Latin American and Caribbean countries. China will encourage its enterprises to go to Latin American and Caribbean countries to carry out cooperation in such fields as automobiles, new energy equipment, motorcycles and chemical industry, which will cover the whole industrial chain, so that the two sides can complement each other, increase local employment, upgrade the level of industrialization and promote local economic and social development. Based on the business-led and market-oriented principles, discussiones will be held on the joint construction of industrial parks, logistics parks, high-tech industrial parks, special economic zones and other industrial agglomeration areas, so as to help Latin American and Caribbean countries in their industrial upgrading. Exchanges and cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises of the two sides will be encouraged by building relevant platforms and creating good environment for them.
(7) Agricultural Cooperation
Efforts will be made to encourage enterprises on both sides to actively engage in agricultural trade, push for further exchanges and cooperation in agricultural science and technology, personnel training and other fields, deepen cooperation in livestock and poultry breeding, forestry, fishery and aquaculture, and jointly promote food security. China will continue to set up and improve agricultural technology demonstration programs, promote the development and demonstration of modern agricultural technologies, and enhance agricultural technology innovation, agricultural production and processing capacity and international competitiveness on both sides. Bilateral mechanisms for agricultural information exchanges and cooperation will be improved while giving full play to the role of the special fund for China-Latin America agricultural cooperation, and more agricultural cooperation projects are encouraged.
(8) Scientific and Technological Innovation
China will actively explore the expansion of its cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean countries in high-tech fields such as information industry, civil aviation, civil nuclear energy and new energy, to build more joint laboratories, R&D centers and high-tech parks, support innovative enterprises and research institutions on both sides to carry out exchanges and cooperation, and promote joint research and development. China will encourage dialogue and exchanges between scientific and technological talents on both sides, and support more outstanding young scientists from Latin America and the Caribbean to come to China for short-term scientific research.
(9) Space Cooperation
China will actively explore cooperation between the two sides in such fields as communication and remote sensing satellites, satellite data application, aerospace infrastructure, and space education and training, and promote space technology application in disaster prevention and mitigation, agricultural and forestry monitoring, climate change and other fields. China will pay full attention to the role of space technology as a driving force for the scientific, technological and industrial development of Latin American and Caribbean countries, and promote sustainable development in science and technology and the economic fields.
(10) Maritime Cooperation
China will actively explore cooperation between the two sides in marine science and technology, marine ecological environment protection, marine climate change, marine disaster prevention and mitigation and other fields, and carry out marine economic development in accordance with local conditions, so as to promote the development of maritime affairs between the two sides.
(11) Cooperation on Customs and Quality Inspection
Exchanges and consultations between customs and quality inspection departments from both sides will be strengthened, to promote trade security and facilitation, and ensure product quality and food safety. China will advance the implementation, negotiation, or signing of cooperation documents with Latin American and Caribbean countries regarding customs administrative assistance, animal and plant products quarantine access, etc. Active steps will be taken to carry out cooperation and exchanges on customs capacity building, trade facilitation, capacity building, goods trade statistics, and standardization.
(12) Cooperation Between Trade and Investment Promotion Institutions and Business Associations of the Two Sides
China will deepen its cooperation with trade and investment promotion institutions and business associations in Latin American and Caribbean countries, and facilitate, by making use of relevant mechanisms and platforms for bilateral and collective cooperation, exchanges between enterprises of the two sides, so as to achieve win-win cooperation.
(13) Economic and Technical Assistance
Based on full respect for the will of related countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, and in accordance with China’s financial capacity and level of economic and social development, China will continue to provide economic and technical assistance to Latin American and Caribbean countries without attaching any political conditions and, in accordance with the needs of related countries, gradually increase the scale of assistance within its capacity. China will innovate the assistance model, giving priority to human resources development, development planning, economic policy consulting and training, infrastructure construction, agriculture and food security, poverty reduction, climate change and humanitarian assistance.
3.In the Social Aspects
(1) Social Governance and Social Development
China is ready to conduct exchanges and cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean countries on strengthening and innovating social governance, to share and learn from each other’s experience in governance, jointly promote the modernization of governance system and governance capacity, continuously enhance the level of socialization, rule of law and refinement of social governance, and ensure social stability and order, as well as long-term national stability.
Efforts will be made to promote further exchanges and cooperation in social development areas such as social welfare and social assistance, strengthen policy sharing, and promote and realize practical cooperation in providing services and assistance to special groups such as the elderly, the disabled, and children, as well as urban and rural disadvantaged groups.
(2) Cooperation on Environmental Protection, Climate Change and Disaster Reduction
China will further develop and consolidate its cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other relevant mechanisms, and actively promote consultation, exchanges and project cooperation to cope with the climate change. China will deepen policy dialogue, information sharing, experience exchange, capacity building and technical cooperation in the fields of water resources planning and utilization, ecosystem protection, river-lake management, disaster reduction and relief, and Hippophae rhamnoides cultivation. Efforts will be made to promote the establishment of regular multilateral and bilateral meeting mechanisms between relevant departments of the two sides.
(3) Poverty Reduction Cooperation
China will promote dialogue and exchanges in fields such as poverty reduction, hunger elimination, and narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor, by sharing information on poverty identification as well as experience concerning targeted poverty alleviation. China will engage in technical cooperation to enhance capacity building for poverty reduction, and promote the formulation of economic and social policies in favor of the poor and disadvantaged on both sides. Efforts will also be made to encourage and support high-level exchanges between relevant departments of the two sides, and hold the China-Latin America Poverty Reduction and Development Forum in a timely manner.
(4) Health Cooperation
China will expand exchanges and cooperation in disease control, regional or global epidemic diseases, and response to public health emergencies. The Chinese side will continue to help Latin American and Caribbean countries train medical personnel and improve medical facilities, send medical teams to these countries, and stand ready to provide assistance within its capacity for the prevention and control of sudden outbreak of infectious diseases.
4. In the Cultural and People-to-people Fields
(1) Cultural and Sports Exchanges and Cooperation
Regular dialogue will be maintained between the cultural authorities of the two sides, to promote high-level cultural exchanges and implement the plans and the cultural cooperation agreements signed between the two sides. The two sides will support and encourage their high-profile cultural groups and artists to participate or show their works in international art festivals and visual art exhibitions hosted by China or Latin American and Caribbean countries. Efforts will be made to carry out dialogue among civilizations and support “Cultural Exchange Year” activities between China and Latin American and Caribbean countries. Cooperation will be encouraged in the protection of cultural heritage and the fight against theft, illegal excavation and illegal entry and exit of national borders of cultural properties.
The two sides will strengthen sports exchanges and practical cooperation, encourage their athletes to participate in various sports events held in each other's countries, and build more high-level sports centers. Exchange of experience on advantageous sports of each other will help enhance sports level of both sides.
(2) Education and Human Resources Training
China will promote educational exchanges, mobility research projects, as well as cooperation between educational departments and institutions. China will support and encourage the training of talents specialized in the Chinese, English, Spanish and Portuguese languages, support Latin American and Caribbean countries to promote Chinese language teaching, and continue to advance the construction and development of Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms. China will strengthen human resources development, capacity-building and cooperation in various fields, and increase the government scholarships for students from Latin American and Caribbean countries. Exchanges and cooperation in vocational education will also be carried out in an active manner.
(3) Exchanges and Cooperation in Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television
China will strengthen dialogue and cooperation in press, publication, radio, film and television, and encourage the signing of bilateral agreements on radio, film and television with Latin American and Caribbean Countries. The two sides will encourage the exchanges and co-production of programs and participation in festivals or exhibitions on press, publication, radio, film or television held in each other's countries, and strengthen personnel exchanges as well as media technology and industrial cooperation. The two sides will support the exchange of resident journalists and carry out joint interviews, exchange of news and personnel training. Strong and influential Internet media from both sides will be encouraged to enhance cooperation in portal development, new media capacity building and other aspects. The two sides will also encourage the publishing industry on both sides to engage in cooperation and explore the mutual translation of philosophical and cultural classics, so as to translate and publish more classic works.
(4) Tourism Cooperation
China will encourage tourism authorities and enterprises on both sides to introduce tourism resources and products to each other and expand tourism cooperation. China will explore and issue more facilitation policies to promote two-way tourism, and support the negotiation for more direct flights between aviation authorities of the two sides. China will strengthen dialogue and cooperation with consumer protection departments of Latin American and Caribbean countries, with priority given to the protection of consumer rights of international travellers.
(5) Academic and Think Tank Exchanges
China will actively support academic research institutions and think tanks on both sides to carry out subject research, academic exchanges, seminars, publications and other forms of communication and cooperation. Cooperative research between universities of both sides will also be encouraged.
(6) Non-governmental Exchanges
China will encourage non-governmental exchanges and support social organizations to carry out various forms of friendly exchanges and public welfare activities. China will promote communication between government departments on youth affairs and youth organizations on both sides, and continue to support the “Future Bridge” Training Program for One Thousand Chinese and Latin American Youth Leaders and the Latin American Youth Cadres Training Program. The two sides will deepen friendly cooperation between women’s organizations and promote gender equality and women's empowerment. Non-governmental players of both sides will be encouraged to cooperate in areas such as disaster prevention and reduction, health promotion and livelihood development at the community level. In time of major natural disasters, domestic humanitarian assistance organizations will be supported in conducting international urgent humanitarian assistance.
(7) Consular Cooperation
Efforts will be made to strengthen and expand exchanges and cooperation between the consular departments of the two sides, make good use of the consular consultation mechanism and earnestly safeguard the safety and legitimate rights and interests of their enterprises and citizens in each other's countries. Support will be given to institutional arrangements to facilitate personnel exchanges between the two sides.
5. International Collaboration
(1) International Political Affairs
Efforts will be made to deepen exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in the UN and other international organizations and on other international platforms, maintain communication and coordination on major international and regional issues, promote multi-polarization and democracy in international relations, enhance the voice of developing countries in international affairs, and safeguard common interests of both sides as well as other developing countries.
(2) Global Economic Governance
China will work to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean countries in international economic and financial organizations and mechanisms such as the Group of 20, APEC, IMF, World Bank, Bank for International Settlements, Financial Stability Board and Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, advance multilateral trade negotiation processes with the WTO as the core, promote the establishment of a balanced, win-win and inclusive multilateral trading system, and promote economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region. China will call on the international community to continue to promote global economic governance reform, improve and perfect global economic and financial rules, further advance the IMF reforms on quotas and governance, support the World Bank to move forward with shareholding review in accordance with the roadmap and timetable agreed upon by all parties, and increase the representation of emerging markets and developing countries. China will also promote the construction of a global financial security network, to enhance the world’s capabilities to respond to systemic shocks, and strengthen monitoring and prevention of global and regional systemic risks.
(3) Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
China is ready to work with Latin American and Caribbean countries to promote global, win-win cooperation in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit. China will support the international community to improve global partnerships, strengthen the main channel status of North-South cooperation, and urge developed countries to fulfill their commitments on official development assistance, while placing importance on the role of South-South cooperation and trilateral cooperation. China stands ready to provide support and assistance within its capacity to Latin American and Caribbean countries in their efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
(4) Response to Climate Change
China will support the main channel status of the UNFCCC in the international response to climate change. China will adhere to the principles and provisions of the UNFCCC, particularly the principles of equity, common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, and promote the implementation of the Paris Agreement. China calls on the international community to pay close attention to the special concerns of small island developing states in the Caribbean, promote the establishment of a global climate governance system that is equitable and reasonable for win-win cooperation, and advance the comprehensive, effective and sustained implementation of the UNFCCC.
(5) Cyber Security
Based on the principles of peace, sovereignty, co-governance and universal benefits, the Chinese government is ready to work with Latin American and Caribbean countries to build a cyber space featuring peace, security, openness and cooperation, build a multilateral, democratic and transparent Internet governance system, and develop a code of conduct for international cyber space acceptable to all parties and international legal documents against cybercrimes under the UN framework. China opposes any engagement in the destruction of a country’s political, economic or social stability by making use of the Internet.
6. On Peace, Security and Judicial Affairs
(1) Military Exchanges and Cooperation
China will actively carry out military exchanges and cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean countries, increase friendly exchanges between defense and military leaders from the two sides, strengthen policy dialogue and set up working meeting mechanisms, conduct exchanges of visits between delegations and vessels, deepen professional exchanges in such fields as military training, personnel training and UN peacekeeping, expand pragmatic cooperation in humanitarian relief, counter-terrorism and other non-traditional security fields, and enhance cooperation in military trade and military technology.
(2) Cooperation in Judicial and Police Affairs
China will speed up the signing process of treaties concerning judicial assistance in criminal matters, and expand cooperation in such areas as fighting crimes, fugitive repatriation and asset recovery. China will actively carry out police and procuratorial exchanges and cooperation, strengthen and expand cooperation in the areas of extradition, repatriation of criminal suspects, transfer of sentenced persons, and criminal assets attachment, seizure, confiscation and return, coordinate both sides’ positions in international multilateral judicial cooperation, and jointly combat non-traditional security threats such as terrorism and cross-border crimes, including corruption, cybercrimes, drug-related crimes and economic crimes. Efforts will also be made to negotiate and sign treaties on judicial assistance in civil and commercial matters and conduct judicial exchanges and cooperation between courts of the two sides.
7. Collective Cooperation
Based on the spirit and main objectives of the Beijing Declaration of the First Ministerial Meeting of China-CELAC Forum, the China-Latin American and Caribbean Countries Cooperation Plan (2015-2019), and the Institutional Arrangements and Operating Rules of China-CELAC Forum, China is ready to work with Latin American and Caribbean countries to uphold the principles of respect, equality, diversity, mutual benefit, cooperation, openness, inclusiveness and unconditionality, and actively promote cooperation in various fields under the framework of the Forum. Efforts will be made to give full play to the role of such mechanisms as the ministerial meeting, the dialogue of foreign ministers of China and the “Quartet” of CELAC, and the meeting of national coordinators, hold successfully the sub-forums on political parties, law, youth, think tanks, infrastructure, innovation in science and technology, entrepreneurs, agriculture, non-governmental and local friendship, as well as China-Caribbean Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum, continuously improve the institution building of the China-CELAC Forum, and hold summits to be attended by state leaders of China and CELAC member states when conditions are ripe.
China welcomes the active participation of regional organizations and multilateral institutions of Latin America and the Caribbean in the collective cooperation between the two sides, and will accommodate the needs of the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing countries of the region in the collective cooperation.
8. Trilateral Cooperation
China is ready to carry out trilateral development cooperation in Latin American and Caribbean countries with relevant countries outside the region and international organizations under the premise that such cooperation is proposed, agreed upon and dominated by countries in the region.
China encourages its enterprises to carry out trilateral cooperation in economic, social and cultural fields in Latin American and Caribbean countries with relevant parties on the basis of commercial principles.
(Source: People's Daily)
