The fourth ministerial meeting of the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Forum opens in Beijing on Tuesday, marking a pivotal moment in the deepening partnership between the two regions which has withstood the test of international turbulence.

The high-level gathering is expected to adopt two landmark documents — a declaration, reaffirming the mutual commitments to peace, development, and equitable cooperation, and a joint action plan outlining concrete measures to enhance collaboration in technology, trade, infrastructure and the Belt and Road Initiative.

Launched 10 years ago, the China-CELAC Forum has emerged as a groundbreaking platform uniting China and all 33 independent nations of Latin America and the Caribbean. Transcending geopolitical and geographical divides, the forum has demonstrated that unity, not hegemony, drives meaningful progress. Unlike traditional North-South aid models, China-CELAC cooperation is built on mutual respect, equality and shared prosperity. Since its inception, the forum has served as the cornerstone of China-LAC relations. Today, it stands as a flagship of South-South collaboration, aligning development strategies for the fostering of a community with a shared future.

The economic complementarity between China and the LAC has yielded remarkable results. Cooperation in critical minerals, infrastructure, renewable energy and high-tech industries has flourished, with over 20 LAC nations joining China's Belt and Road Initiative. Under the framework of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, more than 200 infrastructure projects have been implemented, generating over 1 million jobs and accelerating regional connectivity.

China has solidified its position as the LAC's second-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade surpassing $500 billion in 2024. To further strengthen ties, China has signed mutual visa exemption agreements with seven LAC countries, while travelers from Brazil, Argentina and Chile benefit from China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy.

With the LAC prioritizing environmental sustainability and China leading in green technologies, particularly in electric vehicles and lithium battery production, the two sides are forging a powerful alliance advancing the global green transition.

Over the past decade, under the framework of the China-CELAC Forum, China and Latin America have established a comprehensive, multilevel and wide-ranging network for dialogue and cooperation. People-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two sides have flourished. The "Chinese language fever" continues to rise across Latin America, where 57 Confucius Institutes or Confucius Classrooms have been established in 26 countries.

Together, China and the LAC represent 20 percent of the world's landmass, 25 percent of the global population, and 25 percent of global GDP, forming one of the most dynamic and promising economic blocs worldwide.

The participants in this year's forum will discuss future development cooperation and contribute their wisdom and strength to addressing global challenges, driving reform in global governance, and safeguarding world peace and stability. The meeting underscores the two sides' unified vision for sustainable development and multilateralism, reinforcing the region's role in shaping a more equitable global order. The collective influence of Global South nations has grown exponentially in recent years, with the LAC playing an increasingly strategic role in international affairs.

The China-CELAC Forum has continuously enriched and expanded its mechanisms for cultural and people-to-people exchanges. These efforts further amplify the voice of Global South countries on the world stage.

But the forum is more than a diplomatic platform, it is a testament to what the Global South can achieve through solidarity. In an era of fragmentation, it offers a model of inclusive, demand-driven partnership. As both sides embark on the next decade of collaboration, their alliance will not only benefit 2 billion people but also redefine the principles of international cooperation and reshape global governance, proving that the Global South is no longer a passive participant but an active architect of a multipolar world.