China, Latin America jointly seek development and revitalization through their "CIIE rendezvous"

At the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum held in May this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the launch of five major programs, ranging from solidarity, development and civilization to peace and people-to-people connectivity, all aimed at advancing shared development and revitalization between China and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. The 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE), held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10, also stands as a testament to this joint pursuit.

Colombia's debut as guest of honor

Colombia, the fourth-largest economy in Latin America, officially joined the Belt and Road Initiative in May this year. Marking its first participation as a guest of honor at the 8th CIIE, Colombia sent a delegation of over 80 entrepreneurs, led by its minister of trade, industry and tourism, bringing a diverse array of products, including specialty coffee, chocolate, jewelry, leather goods, natural cosmetics, and handicrafts. Colombian media highlighted that the expo serves as "an important milestone in the economic and trade relations between the two countries," providing Colombia with a platform to "showcase its high value-added export products at the world's most important import expo."

Nicaragua's "four consecutive leaps"

Nicaragua has never missed a CIIE since its resumption of diplomatic relations with China in December 2021. From an online participation in the 5th expo to a single enterprise on the ground in the 6th, from a delegation of over 50 enterprises at the 7th to an invitation for "Chinese enterprises to invest and start businesses" at the 8th, Nicaragua has expanded its presence with each session of CIIE over the past four years. This rapid scaling-up of participation, together with a strategic shift from trade to investment, highlights the vast potential and growing scope of practical cooperation between the two sides.
Nicaraguan coffee producer Goncalo Castillo said, "I am full of expectations for the future," and praised the CIIE for opening the door to the Chinese market for Nicaraguan enterprises.

The breakthrough "from Chancay to Shanghai"

The new China-Latin America land-sea corridor "From Chancay to Shanghai" was put into operation in November 2024. It significantly cuts the shipping time and cost between China and Peru, driving the export of goods from Latin America to China. According to Peruvian media reports, thanks to the full operation of the Chancay Port, Peru's export volume has exceeded US$55.6 billion, increasing by 18.8 percent year-on-year, with cargo volume on the Peru-Shanghai route surging by 57 percent. This year, Peru's crisp blueberries arrived at Shanghai after a 23-day smooth voyage from Chancay Port, making their global debut at the CIIE.

The powerful China-Brazil synergy

Brazil, a consistent participant in all eight CIIE editions, continues to forge new partnerships. This year, the Chinese beverage brand Mixue was invited to the Brazilian Pavilion and launched a limited edition A?aí Berry Ice Cream, slated for sale in the Brazilian and South American markets. In May, Mixue signed a memorandum of understanding with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil), planning to purchase no less than RMB 4 billion yuan worth of Brazilian coffee beans, fruits, and other key agricultural products over the next three to five years. The company also plans to open stores and establish supply chain factories in Brazil, a move expected to create 25,000 local jobs.

A mutually beneficial pursuit

This year, a total of 27 LAC countries participated in the CIIE. This annual "CIIE rendezvous" has become a microcosm of the dynamic growth of China-Latin America relations. Bilateral trade volume exceeded US$500 billion last year, setting a new record. In the first ten months of 2025, China-Latin America trade grew by 6.4 percent year-on-year, outpacing the overall growth rate of China's foreign trade. Recently, the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean revised upward its 2025 economic growth forecast for the region to 2.4 percent, with South America's projection raised notably to 2.9 percent. The commission attributed this improvement largely to growing trade between South American nations and China. Chinese consumers' love for the diverse LAC products and Latin American companies' eagerness to access the Chinese market create a mutually reinforcing dynamic, injecting strong impetus into the development of both sides.

Future-oriented cooperation

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China's middle-income group expanded to over 400 million people. With the world's largest market of physical goods, China now records nearly RMB 50 trillion yuan in annual consumption and over RMB 20 trillion yuan in imports. The fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China reviewed and adopted the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, outlining the top-level design for China's development over the next five years. It pointed out that China will concentrate its efforts on promoting high-quality development and unswervingly advancing high-standard opening up. The certainty of China's development and its commitment to opening up will provide more opportunities for countries around the world, including those in Latin America and the Caribbean, and will further energize the CIIE.

Guided by the vision of the five major programs for building a China-Latin America community with a shared future, next year's CIIE is expected to deliver an even greater number of impressive outcomes. The stage is set for a remarkable "CIIE rendezvous" between China and Latin America in 2026.

The author is a commentator on international affairs. The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

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