Beijing to Host New CELAC-China Forum
By María Josefina Arce
Colombia assumed the pro tempore presidency of CELAC, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. Among its priorities is the continued strengthening of relations in all areas between the regional bloc and China, one of the most important players in the global economy.
In this pursuit, preparations are underway for the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the CELAC-China Forum, which will take place in the first half of May in Beijing, the capital of the Asian giant. This meeting will undoubtedly open up new opportunities for cooperation in trade, investment, and sustainable development.
In recent years, countries within this integration mechanism have consolidated their ties with China, resulting in significant joint projects in areas of mutual interest and an increase in bilateral trade, which both sides aspire to continue boosting.
More than twenty nations from the region have joined the Belt and Road Initiative, launched in 2013 by Chinese President Xi Jinping to promote global connectivity in economic, commercial, financial, and infrastructural areas, as well as human and cultural connections.
In this context, the establishment of the CELAC-China Forum a decade ago has been crucial for deepening these ties, fostering dialogue and cooperation between the two sides.
The first edition of the forum was held in Beijing in 2015. Three years later, Santiago de Chile hosted the second meeting, and in 2021, the event took place in Mexico, which held the pro tempore presidency of CELAC at the time.
Experts note that these meetings have helped coordinate efforts, strategize to address common challenges, and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
The upcoming meeting will be held amidst a complex global landscape, following the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump on January 20, who has launched a trade war by imposing high tariffs on products from other nations.
In the Beijing meeting, various topics will be discussed, including the transition to renewable energies and the strengthening of intra-regional trade.
The CELAC-China Forum stands as a cooperation mechanism that promotes mutual benefit and the development of nations, always respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity.
