Xi's trip further brightens prospects of China-LatAm co-op

Chinese President Xi Jinping left Cuba for home on Thursday morning Beijing time after wrapping up a fruitful four-nation visit to Latin America. [Special coverage]

During the trip, his second to the region since taking office in March 2013, Xi paid state visits to Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela and Cuba, and attended the sixth summit of the emerging-market bloc of BRICS, which groups Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and a conference with Latin American and Caribbean leaders.

Xi also participated in an unprecedented meeting between BRICS and Latin American leaders, which expanded BRICS' influence in the region, consolidated the bond between them and set a paradigm for South-South cooperation.

The nearly two-week tour has not only demonstrated that Latin America is an integral part of China's overall foreign policy, but once again proved Beijing's commitment to promoting South-South cooperation and cultivating a more equitable and reasonable world order that better accommodates the needs and interests of developing countries.

MORE SOLID BRICS PARTNERSHIP

"What has happened has proved that when BRICS countries, which account for 42.6 percent of the world population, enjoy economic growth and social stability and work together for common development, it conforms with the call of the times for peace, development and win-win cooperation and will thus facilitate a more balanced world economy, more effective global governance and more democratic international relations," Xi said in a written interview with Latin American media outlets ahead of his visit.

Speaking at last week's BRICS summit in the Brazilian port city of Fortaleza, Xi summed up BRICS countries' cooperation experiences, and urged member states to carry forward the spirit of openness and inclusiveness and forge a more solid partnership.

He proposed that the BRICS countries push forward sustainable economic growth, build a favorable external environment for development, strengthen coordination and shoulder more responsibility in stabilizing the global economy and safeguarding world peace.

Xi's proposal was echoed by his counterparts of other BRICS nations. Following the summit, the bloc announced plans to establish a development bank and a contingent reserve arrangement.

During bilateral meetings with leaders of other BRICS nations, Xi said that China is "true in word and resolute in deed" on China-Russia cooperation; that China and India are "long-lasting strategic and cooperative partners, rather than rivals;" and that China will boost cooperation with South Africa.