[By Guancha Net Columnist Tiago Nogueira, translated by Guancha Net Tang Xiaofu]
Recently, China has made significant progress in its cooperation with Latin American countries. These advances are underpinned by a series of events: from global leaders gathering in Russia to the Fourth China-CELAC Forum held in Beijing, followed by bilateral talks between China and Brazil.
In contrast, these developments occur as the Trump administration's strategy of reinforcing unilateralism and protectionism against China begins to show signs of fatigue. The recent temporary concession (US-China tariff negotiations) raises questions about the actual effectiveness of America's recent measures.
The commemorative event marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in Moscow evoked strong historical resonance. The participation of several heavyweight world leaders not only highlights their stance against fascism and imperialist aggression but also contrasts sharply with the neo-colonial worldview held by many strategic planners in the North Atlantic.
President Xi Jinping joined leaders from more than 20 countries and international organizations in commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Great Patriotic War Victory. Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs website
Meanwhile, further positive developments have occurred. President Xi Jinping and President Lula jointly issued a joint statement defending multilateralism, reaffirming common initiatives, and committing to strengthen global cooperation; during the CELAC forum, Latin American countries reiterated the importance of their relations with China, welcoming deeper strategic ties between both sides—Colombia also announced its intention to join the Belt and Road Initiative during this period; even Nicolas Maduro, president of Venezuela who has long endured severe US economic sanctions, met with Burkina Faso leader Ibrahim Traore, inheriting the legacy of Thomas Sankara in Moscow. The sequential occurrence and synchronized development of these events seem to point to an undeniable trend: a rising collective will is committed to opening a new era.
Facing protectionism, "we have never been so close."
It was also at the Fourth China-CELAC Forum that Lula harshly criticized the Trump administration's unilateralism and protectionism, viewing Brazil-China relations as crucial for defending multilateralism and strengthening international cooperation, signing as many as 36 new bilateral agreements with President Xi Jinping. Regarding this, President Lula described the current Brazil-China relationship in one sentence: "Without exaggeration, even though we (China and Brazil) are more than 15,000 kilometers apart, we have never been closer."
Notably, Brazil is seeking to reach a joint agreement emphasizing integration, aligning its "Accelerated Growth Plan" (PAC), "New Industrial Plan," "South American Integration Route Plan," and the Belt and Road Initiative. Meanwhile, the long-proven effective China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite (CBERS) cooperation program will share remote sensing data generated by CBERS-5 and CBERS-6 satellites according to the model of providing data to African countries in 2009 through CBERS-2B. Additionally, new progress has been made in public health, trade facilitation, currency swaps, agriculture, artificial intelligence, and other fields. Even the two countries agreed to build a technology transfer center, demonstrating China's firm determination to support Brazil's scientific and technological innovation and development.
In terms of politics, the personal and joint statements released by President Lula and President Xi Jinping both demonstrate their firm positions on global challenges and showcase their similar political attitudes. The first joint statement focuses on defending multilateralism and condemning rising intolerance and protectionism. Both sides reiterated: "They believe that tariff wars and trade wars have no winners, and protectionism should not be the answer to current challenges. They wish to jointly create an open, inclusive, non-discriminatory international cooperation environment, maintain the vitality and momentum of global economic growth, and promote inclusive and beneficial economic globalization."
President Xi Jinping held talks with Brazilian President Lula, who was visiting China on state affairs, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs website
The second statement focuses on the Ukraine conflict, calling for a resolution through peaceful negotiations. Lula pointed out: "Overcoming meaningless armed conflicts is also a prerequisite for development," and proposed using last year's jointly drafted "Consensus on Political Solutions to the Ukraine Crisis" document by both countries as a foundation for dialogue to rebuild peace.
All of this happens against the backdrop of increasingly enhanced coordination between China and Brazil. In the face of Trump's protectionist pressure, bilateral trade between the two countries continues to grow, with Brazilian agricultural products such as soybeans regaining some market share previously occupied by American producers. Brazil, China, and Peru are jointly planning and constructing a railway corridor that crosses Brazil and Peru, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Once completed, this railway will become a vital logistics channel for regional trade with China and the Asia-Pacific region.
Colombian Petro: Southern Nations Must Unite
It is precisely in this context that Colombian President Gustavo Petro confirmed Colombia's intention to join the Belt and Road Initiative at the China-CELAC Forum, saying: "We will sign a 'Belt and Road' cooperation agreement. Latin America and Colombia are free, sovereign, and independent. We are willing to establish relationships based on freedom and equality with any country in the world."
Considering Colombia's status as the fourth largest economy in Latin America, a traditional ally of the United States, and home to several US military bases, this move holds great significance. Just months ago, Petro clashed with the Trump administration over the violent deportation of Colombian immigrants to the United States, stating at the time: "If the Northern Hemisphere nations don't want us, the Southern Hemisphere must unite."
At the forum, President Xi Jinping pointed out that last year, trade between China and Latin America exceeded $500 billion for the first time. He also stated that China would provide $9.2 billion in credit to Latin America. Moreover, the summit announced multiple measures covering various fields, including: over the next three years, China will offer 3,500 government scholarship slots, 10,000 training slots in China, 500 international Chinese teacher scholarships, 300 poverty alleviation technical talent training slots, 1,000 'Chinese Bridge' program group slots in China, implement 300 'small but beautiful' livelihood projects, actively promote vocational education cooperation projects such as Confucius Institutes, and support Chinese education in CELAC member states. President Xi also pledged to take action with Latin American countries to implement international cooperation frameworks such as the Global Civilization Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, and the Global Security Initiative.
Through the Beijing Declaration, CELAC countries and China reaffirmed their commitments to multilateralism, world peace, national equality, and win-win cooperative development.
Washington sowing discord between China and Latin America
In this context, China and the United States have formed a stark contrast in their attitudes toward Latin America—a reflection of their differing stances on "Global South" countries. China and Third World countries share a history of jointly resisting neocolonialism and challenging the systemic injustices caused by the world order dominated by North Atlantic powers, thus becoming the beacon of hope for building a world based on peace and collective development. Conversely, the United States continues to adhere to zero-sum thinking, often resorting to geographically motivated unilateral discriminatory measures that harm multilateral cooperation and hinder international dialogue.
Mauricio Claver-Carone, the US special envoy for Latin American affairs, found it ironic that Lula's visit to China coincides with "Brazil Week" in New York—where Brazilian officials and businessmen gather in New York to participate in various activities. He commented: "Ironically, while Lula is traveling to China, most Brazilian businessmen are actually in New York, the largest capital market in the world." He expressed: "The United States remains Brazil's primary investor, and we hope to continue this cooperation."
Mauricio Claver-Carone
He hopes to retain the north-south axis of Brazil's supply chain rather than allowing it to "meander westward." However, since Claver-Carone's nomination has not been approved by the Senate, he will leave office this month.
In recent years, high-ranking US officials have frequently threatened Latin American countries not to deepen their cooperation with China, often using seemingly plausible arguments: so-called "debt traps" created by China, "dual-use" risks, China's alleged "espionage activities" through 5G and digital infrastructure, and even blaming China for causing deindustrialization in Latin America.
Clarifying these misconceptions has become an urgent priority for national leaders dedicated to deepening South-South cooperation. The real "debt trap" in Latin America was not caused by Beijing but by Washington. The Latin American debt crisis of the 1980s bankrupted Latin American economies, leading to the "lost decade," paving the way for global financial institutions to push neoliberal reforms. On the contrary, "Belt and Road" infrastructure projects have played a key role in reshaping and revitalizing the Latin American economy, integrating it into the global trade chain; the completion of the Chancay Bay Port in Peru is a transformative achievement.
The claim that China uses Latin American territory for "military purposes" is baseless, whereas the over 70 military installations operated by the US in the region are subject to the jurisdiction of the US Southern Command and the Department of Defense. Similarly, proven surveillance cases did not originate from the East but from numerous branches of US intelligence agencies.
There are so many instances of US surveillance in Latin America that listing them all would far exceed the length of this article, but the US National Security Agency's spying scandal on Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and Petrobras remains a typical example of US espionage activities. Conversely, China provides digital infrastructure and services to Latin America at competitive prices and high quality, helping Latin American countries achieve digitalization and economic takeoff.
Finally, for decades, people have accused China of causing premature deindustrialization in Latin America, yet this is at odds with political and economic realities. It is well known that the deindustrialization process in Latin America began with the implementation of neoliberalism and surrender policies dictated by the "Washington Consensus" in Latin America. These policies were imposed by the US during debt restructuring negotiations with Latin American countries in the 1980s and 1990s.
Neo-liberalism flag bearers of the 1980s, Reagan and Thatcher
China maintains its successful model, preserving the dominant position of state-owned enterprises and public ownership, and becoming the center of global manufacturing and high-tech development during the same period. As clearly demonstrated by the recent agreements reached between China and other Latin American countries, China is not only an important export market driving economic growth in Latin America but also actively conducts technology transfer, scientific cooperation, and educational exchanges, prioritizing production and infrastructure investment in Latin America.
The highest leaders of Latin American countries are fully aware of this. This is why Lula remarked: "The Beijing Declaration is inspiring—it shows that China, a country with such economic strength, still genuinely commits to helping the poorest countries in Latin America and Africa develop."
While resisting pressure from Northern Atlantic countries to weaken China-Latin America cooperation, Lula also suggested: "Instead of worrying about China, shouldn't we worry how long it has been since the US invested in Central America or Latin America? How long has it been since the EU invested in Latin America or Africa?"
For years, global politics has pondered whether the winds of change come from the West or the East. Today, the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC and the Beijing Declaration bring a voice of hope. This friendly breeze from the East, from the Global South, proclaims: regardless of East or West, South or North, defending multilateralism, promoting peace negotiations, and cooperation for development will surely illuminate the path to a new world order—a vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind.
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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7504921052208972328/
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