The Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum was held in Beijing in May 2025. In recent years, guided by head-of-state diplomacy, Beijing’s growing ties with local governments in Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) countries have contributed to the broader development of China-LAC friendship.

Mutual Understanding for Shared Prosperity

“Friendship is like fine wine — the longer it lasts, the better it tastes.” The bonds between China and LAC countries have withstood the test of time and grown ever stronger. Despite the vast ocean that separates them, the peoples of China and LAC countries have forged close ties and profound friendship. From the introduction of Chinese and Spanish into primary and secondary classrooms, to mutual exchanges of students; from joint celebrations of the Chinese New Year to deeper collaboration in vocational education and scientific research, people-to-people exchanges between Beijing and its LAC sister cities are flourishing. Cooperation in education, culture, tourism, film, and various sectors continues to expand, yielding a growing number of fruitful outcomes.

The “Happy Chinese New Year” celebrations have dazzled audiences in Beijing’s LAC sister cities, including Mexico City and Lima. Artists from Beijing presented captivating performances such as dragon and lion dances, traditional Chinese instrumental ensembles, and classical Chinese-style dances, showcasing the richness and unique charm of Chinese culture, as well as Beijing’s distinctive feature that integrates history and modernity. Meanwhile, cities including Mexico City, Quito, Machu Picchu, and Montevideo have actively engaged in events organized by the World Tourism Cities Federation, working together to advance tourism cooperation between China and LAC countries.

“Happy Chinese New Year” in Mexico City (Photo by WeChat Official Account of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism)

Art knows no borders, and music speaks to the heart. The China NCPA Orchestra collaborated with musicians from the Teatro Colón in Argentina to stage a joint concert in Buenos Aires, while Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU) and the Orquestra Forte de Copacabana from Rio de Janeiro co-hosted a cultural exchange concert titled “The Sino-Brazilian Joyful Melodies” in Beijing. Classic compositions such as Dance of the Golden Snake, Spring Flowers and Autumn Fruits, and Missing You resonated through the halls, drawing the hearts of the Chinese and LAC peoples ever closer.

“The Sino-Brazilian Joyful Melodies” Concert (Photo by BTBU)

In Panama City, where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans converge; in Piura, where mountains meet the sea; and in Salta, nestled deep within the continent, young people across LAC countries are embracing the Chinese language and immersing themselves in Chinese culture, thereby becoming youthful ambassadors of China-LAC friendship. Faculty members from higher education institutions such as Capital Normal University, Beijing International Studies University, and Beijing Polytechnic College are building bridges of mutual understanding through language and culture. Leveraging digital innovation, Kuaishou has opened a “digital window” to China for the Brazilian public through short videos, mini-dramas, livestreaming, and e-commerce platforms.

Cultural experience event at the Confucius Institute of the University of Panama (Photo by the Confucius Institute of the University of Panama)

In 2022 and 2024, the Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) invited Argentina and Brazil as Country of Honor respectively, hosting “Argentine Film Week” and “Brazilian Film Week” to showcase their cinematic works. Films such as A School in Cerro Hueso, Mi Obra Maestra, Getúlio, and O Menino no Espelho were warmly received by audiences in Beijing, bringing heartfelt and meaningful LAC stories to the city. In April 2025, the Argentine film The Message won the Best Supporting Actress Award at the 15th Tiantan Awards of the BJIFF.

Premiere of The Message (Photo by the BJIFF)

“As hearts align, even a smile can travel a thousand miles.” Beijing will continue to forge ahead hand in hand with its LAC sister cities toward building a China-LAC community with a shared future, and jointly write a splendid chapter of pragmatic cooperation between the two sides.