Forge a Stronger Partnership Between China and Latin America and the Caribbean* 

June 5, 2013 

Once again, visiting Latin America, a vibrant and promising continent, I am all the more convinced that with its rich natural endowment, this continent is embracing another golden period of development. We believe that a more prosperous Latin America and the Caribbean will benefit both the rest of the world and China. 

Our relations with this area have now entered a period of opportunity for rapid growth. We should be visionary in approach, keep abreast of the times, build on traditional friendship, enhance exchanges in all areas, and upgrade cooperation. In so doing, we can forge a stronger partnership of comprehensive cooperation featuring equality, mutual benefit and common development. 

Politically, we should treat each other as sincere friends, and continue to show understanding and support for each other on issues involving the core interests and major concerns of both sides. 

Economically, we should seize opportunities created by the shift of growth model on both sides, fully tap cooperation potential, create new cooperation modalities, expand converging interests and foster an enduring, stable and mutually beneficial business partnership. 

Culturally, we should enhance inter-civilizational dialogue and cultural exchanges. As a Chinese saying goes, "One should value not only one's own culture, but also the cultures of others, and this will contribute to the flourishing of all cultures."¹ I hope we will develop a mutually reinforcing and exemplary relationship of harmony between different civilizations. 

I hope that we will work together to launch the Forum of China-Latin America and the Caribbean Cooperation at an early date. We should give full rein to our respective strengths, build a strong partnership of comprehensive cooperation, and thus contribute more to stability and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region. 

As a Chinese proverb goes, "Just as distance tests a horse's strength, time will show a person's sincerity." The growth of China-Latin America and the Caribbean relations has proved and will continue to prove that ours is an open, inclusive, mutually beneficial and cooperative relationship. We are convinced that a stronger partnership of comprehensive cooperation will boost the development of both sides as well as the peace, stability and prosperity of our respective regions and the world as a whole. 

* Part of the speech at the Senate of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.

Notes 

¹  Fei Xiaotong: Appreciating Others' Cultures and Human Civilizations, Chinese ed., Inner Mongolia People's Publishing House, Hohhot, 2009, p. 262. Fei Xiaotong (1910-2005) was a Chinese sociologist, anthropologist and social activist. He served as vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

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