According to reports by the Agencia Latinoamericana de Noticias, on May 12 local time, the Colombian Presidential Palace issued a statement indicating that Colombian President Gustavo Petro confirmed that Colombia will join China's joint construction of the "Belt and Road" initiative. President Gustavo Petro, who is in Beijing preparing to attend the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Forum, stated that one of the goals of joining the "Belt and Road" initiative is to become a technological bridge connecting the Americas, Asia, and Europe. "We will sign an agreement to join the 'Belt and Road' initiative. Latin America and Colombia are free, sovereign, and independent, and any relationship we establish with other countries should be based on free and equal conditions," Petro said. Colombian President Gustavo Petro / AFP He further pointed out that due to its geographical advantages, Latin America should become the center of global society, politics, and economy, and Colombia, with its trans-oceanic position alongside Panama, can play a more core role. The president of the current rotating presidency of CELAC also revealed that in addition to communicating with China, CELAC will also engage in exchanges with Europe, and has requested similar talks with the United States to highlight the principle of multilateralism. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the formal operation of the China-Latin America Forum. The Presidential Palace of Colombia emphasized in the statement that it is expected that all parties will sign a new action plan for the next two years, focusing on infrastructure, technology, and sustainability. According to reports by Agence France-Presse, on May 6 local time, Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated that he would "sign a letter of intent to join the 'Belt and Road' initiative in the coming days." Petro said on that day that "the future government will decide whether this intention becomes a reality." Petro will leave office next year. However, the report pointed out that signing the letter of intent would bring significant momentum to China as it competes with the United States for regional influence. On May 7, a reporter asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during a regular press conference about China's view on Colombia's plan to join the "Belt and Road" initiative. Lin Jian responded by stating that Colombia is the current rotating presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, and China is working with all parties to actively promote the preparation work for the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-Latin America Forum. Regarding the specific issues you mentioned, I currently have no information to release. Public records show that in 2007, China first became Colombia's second-largest source of imports. In 2008, Colombia and China signed the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement. Since 2019, China has become Colombia's second-largest trading partner, with increasingly frequent trade exchanges between both sides. This article is an exclusive piece by Guancha Observer, unauthorized reproduction is prohibited. Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7503804886719496719/ Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author. Please express your opinions by clicking the "Like/Dislike" buttons below.