THE First Ministerial Meeting of the ‘Forum of China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)’ was successfully concluded in Beijing on January 9, 2015.

It was a grand gathering of top and senior officials from China and CELAC member countries, including the Honourable Phillip Paulwell, minister of science, technology, energy and mining of Jamaica, to draw a blueprint for the deepening of China-CELAC relations.

Substantive results were achieved following two days of compact and fruitful interactions, with both sides voicing strong political consensus on deepening political mutual trust, expanding co-operation and promoting development of the forum.

Among the three documents that were adopted, the ‘Beijing Declaration’ lays out the general direction of the forum and guiding principles for co-operation; the ‘Plan of Co-operation between China and the Latin American and Caribbean Countries (2015-2019)’ identifies the key areas and concrete measures for co-operation in the next five years; and the ‘Institutional Arrangements and Operating Rules of the Forum’ provides institutional support to the implementation of political consensus and co-operation plan.

The meeting was of milestone significance and profound influence. First, the meeting, under the theme ‘New Platform, New Starting Point, and New Opportunities — Joint Efforts to Promote China-Latin America and the Caribbean Partnership of Comprehensive Co-operation’, has sent out a strong ‘China-CELAC message’ that aims to institutionalise the overall co-operation between China and Latin American/Caribbean countries and push relations to a higher level.

Secondly, the forum will become a brand new platform for comprehensive, multi-level and mutually beneficial co-operation in a broad range of areas. As announced by President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony, China-CELAC will work together to increase trade volume between China and CELAC countries to US$500 billion and China’s stock of direct investment in CELAC countries to US$250 billion in 10 years. This will prompt China and Latin American and Caribbean countries to ride in the same fast-going train of development.

Thirdly, the forum will become the best bridge for exchanges and integration of civilisations between China and Latin American and Caribbean countries. It will give rise to the ‘CELAC craze’ in China and the ‘China craze’ in CELAC countries, and boost the revival of the once famous and prosperous 19th Century Trans-Pacific Silk Road.

Fourthly, the forum will be built into a “new model” of South-South co-operation and will exert important influence over the development of a new international order in a fair and just manner.

As an important component of the “quartet”, the Caribbean has always held its special position in China’s external relations. Over the past two years, China-Caribbean relations have entered a new era, with President Xi Jinping meeting twice with Caribbean leaders, and with the visit to China by leaders of Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Antigua and Barbuda.

President Xi Jinping stressed that China-CELAC co-operation goes side by side with China’s bilateral co-operation with each and every CELAC member country. This is an explicit policy statement that no country or regional organisation will be neglected or left behind the tide of China-CELAC co-operation.

China is unswervingly committed to the development of comprehensive co-operation partnership with Caribbean countries and will take more measures to strengthen its support for the economic development of Caribbean countries, especially in the fields of infrastructure, agriculture, health care, and human resources training.

China deems the Caribbean an important force in the international community and will enhance mutual support and collaboration with Caribbean countries on international and regional issues. China understands the concern of Caribbean small island countries on climate change and international financing, and is ready to provide countries in the region with assistance to the best of its capacity, and join hands with them in tackling challenges.

I fully agree with the Honourable Minister Phillip Paulwell that the geographical distance between China and Jamaica is no hindrance to the long-standing friendship between our two peoples. I have visited most of the Caribbean countries and wherever I went, I was touched by the friendly sentiments of the Caribbean people towards China.

This sense of friendship has been heightened since I was appointed Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica more than a year ago.

A good beginning is halfway to success. As China-CELAC relationship turns a new page, let us seize opportunities, work together on the blueprint, thrive to reap harvests from the forum, and elevate the China-CELAC relations to a new high.

— Dong Xiaojun is the Chinese ambassador to Jamaica.