China, LatAm move toward deeper mutual trust

China and Latin America have moved toward deeper mutual trust and cooperation in the year of 2013 thanks to exchange of top-level visits, opening a new horizon for bilateral relationship and contributing to strengthen South-South cooperation.

EXCHANGE OF TOP-LEVEL VISITS

Frequent exchange of visits by leaders of China and Latin American countries throughout the year demonstrated both sides' willingness in enhancing cooperation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping in June embarked on a tour of Mexico, Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago, expressing his willingness to deepen practical cooperation with those countries.

In Mexico, Xi and his Mexican counterpart Enrique Pena Nieto agreed to lift the bilateral ties to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership.

Both sides announced support for the establishment of a China-Latin America cooperation forum and pledged to promote the overall cooperation between China and Latin America to a higher level.

During Xi's visit to Trinidad and Tobago, he met leaders of eight Caribbean countries.

Carlos Tavares, a Brazilian expert on China and global trade, said Xi's talks with leaders of the Caribbean nations showed that the new Chinese leadership was ready to deepen relations with the region.

In Costa Rica, leaders of the two sides agreed to push forward pragmatic cooperation, with China pledging to support Costa Rica in the construction of a special economic zone and Costa Rica welcoming China's investment.

Five heads of state from Latin American countries visited China this year.

Mexican President Pena Nieto and Peruvian President Ollanta Humala traveled to China in April to reaffirm bilateral ties with China in the Boao Forum for Asia, where the leaders expressed their interest in and commitment to deepening bilateral ties.

Uruguayan President Jose Mujica, Surinamese President Desi Bouterse and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro visited China in May, June and September respectively.

In his meeting with Xi, Mujica affirmed that Uruguay wants to be China's partner and that it needs to further develop its industry and generate more value-added products before trade can be increased for mutual benefit.

While visiting China, Bouterse said that Suriname is ready to expand cooperation with China.

He said that China has provided support and assistance to Caribbean countries, including Suriname, which has effectively promoted the economic and social development of these countries.

At their meeting in Beijing, Xi and Maduro stressed their nations' shared efforts to promote development and prosperity for their peoples, and ratified Venezuela's strategic partnership with China.

Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson also visited China, praising China's development as an important example for Jamaica and other Caribbean countries, and as a means to contribute to world peace and human development.