Editor's Note: On March 25, 2026,  the 5th Latin American and Caribbean Ambassadors’ Dialogue hosted by Tsinghua University, was held in Beijing, focusing on the theme "China's 15th Five-Year Plan and Economic Transformation". Ambassadors to China from many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and Chinese representatives conducted in-depth exchanges on the prospects of the plan and new opportunities for China-Latin America cooperation. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China-Latin America trade volume exceeded 549 billion US dollars, the number of countries cooperating with China in building the "Belt and Road" increased to 24, and landmark projects such as the Chancay Port in Peru and the Belo Monte UHV power transmission project in Brazil were put into operation. China-Latin America cooperation has become a model for South-South cooperation. Zhang Run, Director of the Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that China has always respected Latin American countries' independent choice of development path, and China-Latin America cooperation is mutual support among "Global South" countries, not targeting any third party. Looking forward to the 15th Five-Year Plan period, he suggested that both sides take the "Five Major Projects" as the guide, work together in expanding markets, energy transition, industrial upgrading and other fields, and join hands to promote the steady and long-term development of the China-Latin America comprehensive strategic partnership. This article is a report from China.org.cn.

Original Article Link:

http://news.china.com.cn/txt/2026-03/27/content_118405470.shtml

Original Title: Zhang Run, Director of the Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Promote the Steady and Long-term Development of China-Latin America Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to Better Benefit People on Both Sides

China.org.cn, March 27 (Reporter Han Yajie) – On March 25, the 5th Latin American and Caribbean Ambassadors’ Dialogue hosted by Tsinghua University, was held in Beijing. The theme of this event was "China's 15th Five-Year Plan and Economic Transformation".

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China-Latin America cooperation achieved fruitful results. Over the past five years, China-Latin America trade has continuously broken through the 400 billion and 500 billion US dollar marks, reaching 549 billion US dollars in 2025. Today, China has become the second largest trading partner and one of the major investors of Latin America and the Caribbean region, and the number of Latin American and Caribbean countries that have signed cooperation documents with China on building the "Belt and Road" has increased to 24. China has implemented a series of infrastructure construction projects in Latin America and the Caribbean region, such as the Chancay Port in Peru, the Belo Monte UHV power transmission project in Brazil, and the renovation of the Belgrano freight railway in Argentina, which have effectively promoted local economic and social development. China-Latin America cooperation has also become a model for South-South cooperation.

Zhang Run, Director of the Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the rapid development of China-Latin America relations lies in the fact that China has always respected Latin American countries, refrained from geopolitical calculations and did not interfere in the internal affairs of Latin American countries. China has always believed that the development path of Latin American countries should be independently decided by the Latin American people. China-Latin America cooperation is mutual help and support among Global South countries, not targeting any third party, nor should it be interfered by any third party. No matter how the international situation changes, China is willing to work with Latin American and Caribbean countries to unswervingly promote China-Latin America cooperation.

Looking forward to the 15th Five-Year Plan period, Zhang Run pointed out that China has sent a strong signal to the world of adhering to high-quality development, expanding high-level opening up, and sharing development opportunities with the world. As China and Latin America move forward hand in hand and develop together, China-Latin America relations will usher in broader development prospects.

He suggested that China and Latin America seize the opportunities and make joint efforts in three aspects to promote the sustained development of bilateral relations: taking the "Five Major Projects" as the guide and adhering to the correct strategic direction; working together in the three major fields of expanding markets, energy transition and industrial upgrading; and strengthening multilateral coordination to jointly defend the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

Zhang Run said that standing at a new historical starting point, China is willing to take the implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan as an important opportunity, work with Latin American and Caribbean countries hand in hand, promote the steady and long-term development of the China-Latin America comprehensive strategic partnership, and better benefit the people on both sides.