Latin America Must Forge Its Own Path Through Pragmatic Partnerships
Latin America Must Forge Its Own Path Through Pragmatic Partnerships, Says Colombian Content Creator
In a recent discussion, Fernando Muñoz Bernal, a Colombian content creator and advocate for Latin American sovereignty, urged nations within the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to abandon outdated alliance-based mentalities and instead prioritize practical, solution-oriented partnerships. Speaking candidly about regional challenges, Muñoz emphasised that the future of Latin America hinges not on ideological alignment with global powers but on collaboration with partners who offer tangible benefits tailored to local needs.
Rejecting Camp Politics in Favour of Solutions
Muñoz critiqued the historical tendency of Latin American nations to align themselves with geopolitical blocs, arguing that such alliances often undermine regional autonomy. “The path forward isn’t about choosing camps—it’s about choosing solutions,” he stated. He highlighted China as a model partner, citing its track record of investing in infrastructure, technology, and education as evidence of its reliability. Unlike traditional powers, Muñoz noted, China’s approach emphasizes mutual benefit rather than dominance. “We don’t need to be behind one single country. We can choose whoever offers the best solutions,” he asserted.
Divergent Development Paths: Latin America vs. China
A central theme of Muñoz’s argument was the stark contrast between Latin America’s economic trajectory and China’s rise as a global innovator. While China strategically developed its manufacturing sector, educated its workforce, and embraced technological advancement, Latin America, he argued, lagged due to underinvestment and reliance on raw material exports. “We did not enjoy the possibilities China had to build its manufacturing base or educate its labor force,” Muñoz lamented. This disparity, he stressed, has left the region overly vulnerable to external pressures, such as U.S. tariffs, without the industrial resilience to counterbalance them.
To bridge this gap, Muñoz called for urgent investments in domestic manufacturing, vocational training, and innovation. “We need to educate our people and build industries that allow us to compete globally,” he said. Only through self-reliance, he argued, can Latin America reduce dependency on volatile global markets and external political agendas.
Dispelling Fear, Embracing Opportunity
Muñoz also addressed widespread skepticism toward China in Latin America, attributing it to misinformation propagated by Western media and local elites. “All we hear are fears about China’s influence—what they ‘might do’ or ‘could do,’” he remarked. Such narratives, he argued, overshadow China’s adherence to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence—a 1953 framework emphasizing mutual respect, non-aggression, and non-interference. “There’s no record of China violating these principles or imposing its will on others,” Muñoz contended, contrasting this with what he described as the United States’ history of interventionism.
He urged Latin Americans to assess partnerships based on outcomes rather than rhetoric. “China works with us in a win-win manner. Why not choose them?” he asked, pointing to collaborative projects in renewable energy, telecommunications, and trade as proof of China’s constructive role.
A Call for Paradigm Shifts
For Muñoz, the key takeaway for CELAC nations is clear: sovereignty begins with pragmatic, non-ideological partnerships. He criticized the region’s elites for perpetuating dependency on traditional allies while dismissing alternatives. “We’ve been brainwashed to fear change,” he said, urging citizens to demand leaders who prioritize local development over geopolitical posturing.
Ultimately, Muñoz envisions a Latin America that leverages global partnerships to build self-sufficiency rather than perpetuate subordination. “Our goal should be innovation, not allegiance,” he concluded. As the region grapples with economic uncertainty and shifting global power dynamics, his message underscores the urgency of redefining Latin America’s place in a multipolar world—one partnership at a time.
https://mediawithoutmeans.org/en/ [https://mediawithoutmeans.org/en/]
Full Text: President Xi's keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum
BEIJING, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum.
The following is the full text of the speech:
Writing a New Chapter in Building
A China-LAC Community with a Shared Future
Keynote Address by H.E. Xi Jinping
President of the People's Republic of China
At the Opening Ceremony
Of the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum
Beijing, May 13, 2025
Your Excellency President Gustavo Petro,
Your Excellency President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva,
Your Excellency President Gabriel Boric,
Your Excellency President Dilma Rousseff,
Delegates of CELAC Member States,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Friends,
It gives me great pleasure to meet so many old and new friends from Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries in Beijing. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I extend a warm welcome to you all.
In 2015, LAC delegates and I attended the opening ceremony of the First Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing, which marked the launch of the China-CELAC Forum. Ten years on, with dedicated nurturing of both sides, the Forum has grown from a tender sapling into a towering tree. This fills me with deep pride and satisfaction.
Although China and the LAC region are geographically distant, the bonds of our friendship stretch back through centuries. As early as in the 16th century, Nao de China, or "Ships of China," laden with friendship, shuttled across the Pacific, marking the dawn of interactions and exchanges between China and the LAC region. From the 1960s onward, as New China established diplomatic ties with some LAC countries, exchanges and cooperation between the two sides became closer and closer. Since the turn of the century and in particular in recent years, China and LAC countries have ushered in a historic era of building a shared future.
We stand shoulder to shoulder and support each other. China appreciates the long-standing commitment of LAC countries that have diplomatic ties with China to the one-China principle. China firmly supports LAC countries in pursuing development paths suited to their national conditions, safeguarding sovereignty and independence, and opposing external interference. In the 1960s, mass rallies and demonstrations took place across China in support of the Panamanian people's rightful claim to sovereignty over the Panama Canal. In the 1970s, during the Latin American campaign for 200-nautical-mile maritime rights, China voiced its resolute and unequivocal support for the legitimate demands of developing countries. For 32 consecutive times since 1992, China has consistently voted for the United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly resolutions calling for an end to the U.S. embargo against Cuba.
We ride the tide of progress together to pursue win-win cooperation. Embracing the trend of economic globalization, China and LAC countries have deepened cooperation in trade, investment, finance, science and technology, infrastructure, and many other fields. Under the framework of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, the two sides have implemented more than 200 infrastructure projects, creating over a million jobs. The China-LAC satellite cooperation program has set a model for high-tech South-South cooperation. The inauguration of Chancay Port in Peru has established a new land-and-sea connectivity link between Asia and Latin America. China has signed free trade agreements with Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Nicaragua. Last year, trade between China and LAC countries exceeded US$500 billion for the first time, an increase of over 40 times from the beginning of this century.
We unite in tough times to conquer challenges through mutual support. China and LAC countries have collaborated on disaster prevention, mitigation and relief and on joint response to hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters. Since 1993, China has dispatched 38 medical teams to the Caribbean. When the pandemic of the century struck, China was among the first to offer assistance to LAC countries, providing over 300 million doses of vaccines and nearly 40 million units of medical supplies and equipment, and sending multiple teams of medical experts. All this helped protect the lives of hundreds of millions across the region.
We uphold solidarity and coordination and rise to global challenges with resolve. Together, China and LAC countries champion true multilateralism, uphold international fairness and justice, advance global governance reform, and promote multipolarization of the world and greater democracy in international relations. We have worked together to address global challenges like climate change, and advance progress in global biodiversity governance. China and Brazil jointly issued a six-point common understanding on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, which has been endorsed by more than 110 countries, contributing our wisdom and strength to resolving international hotspot issues.
Facts have shown that China and LAC countries are advancing hand in hand as a community with a shared future. This community of ours is founded upon equality, powered by mutual benefit and win-win, invigorated by openness and inclusiveness, and dedicated to the people's well-being. It exhibits enduring vitality and holds immense promise.
Distinguished Delegates,
Friends,
The century-defining transformation is accelerating across the globe, with multiple risks compounding one another. Such developments make unity and cooperation among nations indispensable for safeguarding global peace and stability and for promoting global development and prosperity. There are no winners in tariff wars or trade wars. Bullying or hegemonism only leads to self-isolation. China and LAC countries are important members of the Global South. Independence and autonomy are our glorious tradition. Development and revitalization are our inherent right. And fairness and justice are our common pursuit. In the face of seething undercurrents of geopolitical and bloc confrontation and the surging tide of unilateralism and protectionism, China stands ready to join hands with our LAC partners to launch five programs that advance our shared development and revitalization, and contribute to a China-LAC community with a shared future.
The first is Solidarity Program. China will work with LAC countries to support each other on issues bearing on our respective core interests and major concerns. We must enhance exchanges in all fields, and strengthen communication and coordination on major international and regional issues. In the next three years, to facilitate our exchanges on national governance best practices, China will invite 300 members from political parties of CELAC member states every year to visit China. China supports the efforts by LAC countries in increasing their influence on the multilateral stage. We will work with LAC countries to firmly safeguard the international system with the U.N. at its core and the international order underpinned by international law, and to speak with one voice in international and regional affairs.
The second is Development Program. China will work with LAC countries to implement the Global Development Initiative. We will resolutely uphold the multilateral trading system, ensure stable, unimpeded global industrial and supply chains, and promote an international environment of openness and cooperation. We should foster greater synergy between our development strategies, expand high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and bolster cooperation in traditional areas such as infrastructure, agriculture and food, and energy and minerals. We should expand cooperation in emerging areas such as clean energy, 5G telecommunications, the digital economy and artificial intelligence, and carry out the China-LAC Science and Technology Partnership. China will increase imports of quality products from LAC countries, and encourage its enterprises to expand investment in the LAC region. We will provide a RMB66 billion yuan credit line to support LAC countries' development.
The third is Civilization Program. China will work with LAC countries to implement the Global Civilization Initiative. We should uphold the vision of equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness between civilizations, and champion humanity's common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom. We should enhance China-LAC civilizational exchanges and mutual learning, including through a conference on China-LAC inter-civilizational dialogue. We should deepen cultural and artistic exchanges and cooperation, and hold the Latin American and Caribbean Arts Season. We should strengthen exchanges and cooperation in cultural heritage fields such as joint archaeological projects, conservation and restoration of ancient and historic sites, and museum exhibitions. We should also carry out collaborative studies of ancient civilizations and enhance cooperation to combat illicit trafficking of cultural property.
The fourth is Peace Program. China will work with LAC countries to implement the Global Security Initiative. China supports the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace and the Declaration of Member States of the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean. The two sides should cooperate more closely in disaster governance, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, anti-corruption, narcotics control and combating transnational organized crime so as to safeguard security and stability in the region. China will organize law enforcement training programs tailored to the needs of CELAC member states, and do our best to provide equipment assistance.
The fifth is People-to-People Connectivity Program. In the next three years, China will provide CELAC member states with 3,500 government scholarships, 10,000 training opportunities in China, 500 International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarships, 300 training opportunities for poverty reduction professionals, and 1,000 funded placements through the Chinese Bridge program. We will initiate 300 "small and beautiful" livelihood projects, actively promote vocational education cooperation programs such as Luban Workshop, and support CELAC member states in developing Chinese language education. We will also launch an exhibition of Chinese films and TV programs under The Bond, and work with LAC countries to translate and introduce 10 premium TV dramas and audiovisual programs annually to each other. China will host the China-LAC tourism dialogue with LAC countries. To facilitate friendly exchanges, China has decided to implement a visa exemption for five LAC countries as the first step, and will expand this policy coverage at proper times.
Distinguished Delegates,
Friends,
As an 11th-century Chinese poet wrote, "Life's greatest joy comes from finding kindred spirits." Latin America has a similar proverb which goes, "The one who has a friend has a treasure." No matter how the world changes, China will always stand by LAC countries as a good friend and a good partner. Let us march forward together on our paths toward modernization, working together to write a new chapter in building a China-LAC community with a shared future. ■
https://english.news.cn/20250513/2d9c7e8de4eb40ec873c314793ec880b/c.html [https://english.news.cn/20250513/2d9c7e8de4eb40ec873c314793ec880b/c.html]
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