The "Global Times Overseas China Week and Global South Dialogue: Roundtable Forum of China-Latin America and the Caribbean countries" is held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on June 25, 2025. Photo: Shan Jie/GT

Editor's Note:

The "Global Times Overseas China Week and Global South Dialogue: Seminar on Relations between China and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) countries and the Mutual Perception of Public Opinion" were held in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, in late June, followed by another event, the "Global Times Overseas China Week and Global South Dialogue: Roundtable Forum of China-LAC countries" in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From Sunday to Monday, the 17th BRICS Summit is being held in Rio de Janeiro.

To enhance understanding of LAC countries, provide a framework for dealing with these countries, and grasp the trajectory of China-LAC relations, the Global Times, in collaboration with China's universities and think tanks, is releasing a series of country reports on the LAC countries. 

In the first report of the series, we focus on how China and the LAC countries should collaborate to establish a new chapter for the "Global South discourse," exploring approaches from both sides to amplify the voice of the Global South.


Amid profound shifts in the global landscape and the rise of the Global South, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) countries - as key members of the Global South - are playing an increasingly significant role on the international stage. China-LAC relations have achieved historic and leapfrog development, becoming a model for South-South cooperation, especially since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, under the guidance of head-of-state diplomacy.

China and LAC together account for about a quarter of the world's total GDP and are jointly building a vast market with a population of 2 billion. In addressing global challenges and improving global governance, China and LAC continuously strengthen their solidarity, cooperation and mutual support. The weight and status of China and LAC in the global political and economic landscape are steadily rising. In this new context, both sides should tell the stories of their development and friendly cooperation, effectively counter and dismantle Western-centric discourse traps, increase investment to strengthen international communication systems and capacity building, and jointly forge a new coordinate for "Global South discourse." 

Shifting dynamics in the LAC region and China-LAC relations demand 'Global South discourse'

In recent years, there has been a growing trend toward seeking a "third way" beyond traditional left- and right-wing politics in the LAC region - exploring new models of development and governance. With cooperation among major left-leaning countries, the region has made meaningful progress in solidarity and integration, enhancing its independence and autonomy. At present, the Donald Trump administration's pursuit to revive Monroe Doctrine has intensified US interference in the LAC region. While this may force some countries into passive compromises on certain issues, in the long run it is likely to push the region further along the path of independence and resistance to US influence.

Over the past two decades, China-LAC relations have become more comprehensive, deeper, more mature and more resilient. 

In 2014, President Xi Jinping proposed that China and LAC should "strive to build a hand-in-hand community of shared destiny." At the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum in 2025, he declared that "Facts have shown that China and LAC countries are advancing hand in hand as a community with a shared future." This concept genuinely reflects the essence of the China-LAC partnership, embodying the shared aspirations of both sides for the future. 

While political solidarity and pragmatic economic cooperation between China and LAC have steadily deepened, their discourse power still lags behind their political influence and economic strength. Whether in autonomously building discourse frameworks, proactively setting international agendas, utilizing their own discourse resources, or countering discourse traps and false narratives, significant deficiencies persist. Most people lack a sufficient understanding of China and China-LAC relations; as a result, narratives such as the "China threat" still resonate widely. 

Against this backdrop, it has become imperative for China and Latin America to shape "Global South" discourse that truly reflects their development realities and the current state of their relations, enhances communication impact, serves their shared development goals, and contributes to deeper global governance.


Summarizing insights from China-LAC cooperation and leveraging resources of 'Global South discourse'

China-LAC cooperation not only puts many Chinese ideas into practice but also provides real-life examples that help improve and deepen those ideas. Moreover, it offers valuable resources for shaping "Global South discourse." This collaboration has created a new model where bilateral and collective cooperation occurs simultaneously and strengthens each other. Against a backdrop where LAC has long been viewed by Washington as the US "backyard," China-LAC cooperation highlights the value of China's philosophies in today's world. From the perspective of contributing to the "Global South discourse," the key takeaways from China-LAC cooperation can be summed up as follows:

First, it represents a new type of international relations based on mutual respect, fairness and justice, and win?win cooperation. Mutual respect is the foundational prerequisite for China's relations with LAC countries - and something LAC countries deeply value and appreciate. Whether dealing with influential regional powers or smaller LAC countries, China engages with them as equal partners in dialogue and cooperation. This stands in stark contrast to the approaches of past external powers. Many Latin Americans express this clearly: China provides a completely different option.

China-LAC cooperation has always pursued fairness and justice across many areas. China fully respects and supports LAC countries' legitimate demands and rights in safeguarding their independence, security and economic development. It has long supported their autonomy and regional integration, and has never treated the LAC region as anyone's "backyard." In global climate governance, both sides adhere to the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities." In addressing major international crises, their cooperation is grounded in principle - not politics - seeking fairness and justice. On the Russia-Ukraine and the Palestine-Israel conflicts, their positions are closely aligned.

Second, the two sides are building a China-LAC community with a shared future. Over more than a decade, this community has steadily weathered storms and sailed ever further. China and Latin America have supported one another, vividly illustrating the spirit of a community that "helps each other and shares weal and woe." 

Third, they are advancing high-quality the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation. Since China proposed the BRI in 2013, LAC countries have been active participants. Through joint efforts, China and LAC countries have implemented both large-scale landmark projects and smaller, yet impactful, "small and beautiful" projects, bringing tangible benefits to local communities.

Fourth, they are strengthening solidarity and coordination to promote global governance based on the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. Solidarity and cooperation have long been hallmarks of China-LAC relations. In the post-World War II wave of national liberation movements, China firmly opposed colonialism, imperialism and hegemonism, and supported LAC countries in their just struggle to uphold national sovereignty and dignity. Today, the international community once again stands at a crossroads: unity vs division, cooperation vs confrontation, progress vs regression. In the face of resurgent unilateralism, protectionism and hegemonism, and in light of the growing "governance deficit," LAC countries have expressed their support for China's vision of global governance based on extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. Together, both sides are raising their voices on the international stage and working to advance global governance in a more just and equitable direction. 

A visitor takes a photo while holding a model car at a Chinese new energy vehicle brand's factory in Bahia, Brazil, on July 1, 2025. Photo: Shan Jie/GT

Jointly shaping 'Global South discourse' and amplifying its voice

For a long time, Western countries have dominated global discourse, shaping international rules, agendas and technical standards to preserve their privileges in global affairs such as trade, finance and environmental governance. In contrast, countries of the Global South still lack sufficient institutional discourse power.

China and LAC countries should work together in the following areas. 

First, China and LAC countries should strengthen coordination within multilateral frameworks, such as the UN, the WTO, the IMF and the World Bank, to jointly push for reforms. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the UN - a timely opportunity for both sides to steadily and effectively advance institutional reforms.

Second, both sides should scale up their already strong cooperation to remain a model for South-South cooperation, while also promoting broader collaboration among Global South countries. The 17th BRICS Summit in Brazil offers an important opportunity to further advance "Greater BRICS" cooperation.

Third, China and LAC countries should strengthen cooperation in technology and innovation. Western countries have long held dominance in key technological standards, innovation resources and intellectual property, limiting the technological advancement and independent development of the Global South. China and LAC countries can work together to break Western technological hegemony by building innovation platforms, jointly setting technical standards, promoting technology transfer and collaborative innovation, and deepening cooperation in the digital economy and data governance.

We should make good use of China-LAC cooperation as a valuable narrative resource and tell the story of our partnership. LAC countries generally share the vision and direction behind China's proposed initiatives. However, due to differences in history, culture and language, deeper understanding and resonance with China's concepts remain limited. 

China, for its part, needs to do a better job of explaining its ideas in ways that are easier for the international audience to understand. For LAC partners, a better understanding of China's history, culture and present-day realities could further enrich the partnership. To this end, both sides should strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, fostering deeper mutual understanding and recognition. Together, they can better tell the story of China-LAC cooperation. 

The two sides can also do more to clarify facts and set the record straight by pushing back against Western-centric discourse and narratives. In both Western-dominated international media and Latin America's own media landscape, there are false narratives about China and its cooperation with LAC countries. Some stem from misunderstandings rooted in value biases or information asymmetry, while others are deliberate distortions aimed at smearing China's image. China can work with LAC partners to reflect on the historical legacy of colonialism and imperialism, and to raise awareness of its lasting impact on the region.

Based on this, both sides can collaborate to build a more effective international communication system to enhance global outreach capabilities. First, it is essential to strengthen media cooperation between both sides. Platforms such as the China-LAC Media Cooperation Forum, the China-Latin America Media Exchange Center and the Global South Media Think Tank High-end Forum should be fully utilized, with increased investment in project design, content sharing and personnel exchanges. Through exchange and training programs, more LAC journalists can be invited to come to China, experience the reality of China firsthand, and report on a more objective and multidimensional view of China.

Second, the integration of think tanks and media communication should be enhanced. As think tanks become more media-oriented and media become more think tank-like, active support should be given to cooperation between Chinese and LAC media and think tanks. 

Finally, it is important to establish an effective mechanism for implementing the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) to promote mutual learning and cultural exchanges between China and Latin America. Many the LAC region countries have ancient civilizations and are known for their cultural diversity. Advancing the GCI in the LAC region and fostering cultural dialogue between China and the LAC region play a vital role in promoting the integration of shared values. The ancient civilizations of both China and LAC countries will surely illuminate the future path of their partnership.

The author is director and an associate research fellow in the Department for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, China Institute of International Studies. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn