Dialogue to enhance China’s relations with Latin America

China will hold its maiden dialogue with foreign ministers of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Troika in September. The dialogue will become a regular occurrence, which analysts said will help deepen cooperation between China and the 33 CELAC nations.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with ministers from the three countries that make up the premier grouping of CELAC, known as the Troika, in Beijing on Thursday. Yang met with Chilean Foreign Minister Alfredo Moreno Charme, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro Moros and Cuban Vice Foreign Minister Rogelio Sierra Diaz.

The two sides agreed to establish a regular dialogue between foreign ministers from China and Troika, and will hold their first meeting in September, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

They also agreed to expand and deepen China-Latin America pragmatic cooperation in all areas and promote the early establishment of a China-Latin America cooperation forum.

The two sides agreed that establishing ties between China and CELAC and developing dialogue and cooperation will benefit both sides and enhance their comprehensive cooperative partnership based on equality and mutual benefits.

“A regular dialogue will promote mutual understanding and ensure cooperation is carried out smoothly and deeply,” said Qi Fengtian, an expert on Latin American studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Qi said learning about each other’s needs and concerns and respecting local laws is the best way for Chinese to avoid risks when doing business in other countries.

Cooperation between China and Latin American countries has developed quickly in recent years, especially in trade, investments, infrastructure construction and cooperation on energy.

The CELAC countries, especially the Troika, with well developed domestic economies, are willing to welcome more Chinese investments and deepen the existing cooperative projects, Qi said.

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