BEIJING — In a major step to deepen ties with Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), China announced a comprehensive five-pronged initiative aimed at promoting shared development, mutual understanding, and strategic cooperation with the region. Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled the new measures on May 13, 2025, during his keynote speech at the opening of the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing.
As part of the People-to-People Connectivity Program, China will implement a visa-free policy for five LAC countries and plans to expand the policy to include more nations in the region over time. This marks a significant gesture in strengthening cross-cultural ties and facilitating easier exchange between China and Latin American and Caribbean nations.
- Advertisement -
In addition to the visa policy, China will offer 3,500 government scholarships and 10,000 training opportunities to citizens from CELAC member states over the next three years. The initiative will also provide:
- 500 International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarships
- 300 training opportunities for poverty reduction professionals
- 1,000 placements under the Chinese Bridge program
- 300 “small and beautiful” livelihood projects focused on community development
- Support for Chinese language education across the region
“These initiatives are designed to foster a deeper understanding between our peoples and promote long-term collaboration,” said President Xi, noting that people-to-people connectivity forms a critical foundation for broader cooperation.
The announcement is part of China’s broader Five Programs for LAC Cooperation, which include:
1. Solidarity Program
China reaffirmed its commitment to stand in solidarity with Latin American and Caribbean nations on core national interests. “We will continue to support one another and jointly defend the international system with the United Nations at its core, and the international order grounded in international law,” Xi said. Under this pillar, China will invite 300 political party members from CELAC countries annually to visit China and engage in governance exchange programs.
2. Development Program
China aims to accelerate the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, pledging to uphold multilateral trade, protect stable global supply chains, and foster openness. President Xi emphasized deeper alignment between development strategies and high-quality Belt and Road Initiative cooperation. He also pledged increased imports of high-quality goods from LAC nations and encouraged Chinese businesses to invest further in the region.
3. Civilization Program
Highlighting cultural dialogue, President Xi promoted the Global Civilization Initiative, calling for mutual learning and inclusivity. “We should uphold humanity’s common values — peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom,” Xi said. The initiative will include a China-LAC Civilizational Dialogue Conference to enhance cultural exchange and understanding.
4. Peace Program
China is urging collaborative efforts on regional and global security under the Global Security Initiative. Xi called for greater cooperation in disaster governance, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, anti-corruption, narcotics control, and combating transnational organized crime to ensure stability across Latin America and the Caribbean.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, addressing the forum’s plenary session, emphasized the decade-long deepening of strategic mutual trust between China and LAC nations. “Over 80 percent of China’s $35 billion in financing to the region has already been implemented, while the $20 billion China-LAC infrastructure loan has been surpassed,” he said.
Wang also confirmed that China plans to operationalize the RMB 66 billion (approximately $9.1 billion USD) credit line announced by President Xi for new development projects, along with targeted assistance for disaster prevention, management, and mitigation.
“China is willing to work with Latin American countries to practice true multilateralism,” Wang added. “We will promote global governance reform based on fairness, justice, openness, and inclusiveness, and strengthen the voice and representation of developing nations.”
The China-CELAC Forum, which includes 33 countries from across Latin America and the Caribbean, was established in 2015 to promote cooperation in trade, finance, infrastructure, culture, and sustainable development. With these new commitments, China signals a stronger-than-ever commitment to being a long-term partner in the region’s growth and resilience.
