The International Symposium on “The Community of Shared Future for Mankind and China-Latin America Relations” was recently held at Shanghai University (SHU). The symposium was sponsored by Shanghai Academy in cooperation with the Institute of Global Studies, SHU and organized by The Centre for Latin American Studies, Institute of Global Studies, SHU.

Researcher Li Chunguang, on behalf of Shanghai Academy, and Prof. Guo Changgang, on behalf of the Institute of Global Studies, SHU, addressed the opening ceremony respectively.

In the keynote speech of Unit 1, Fernando Reyes Mata, former Chilean Ambassador to China, introduced his understanding of the China-Latin America Community of Shared Future and put forward some suggestions on how to further promote China-Latin America relations. Zhou Yi, Director of the General Division, Department of Latin American & Caribbean Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, introduced the latest development of China-Latin America relations. Chen Wenxue, Deputy Director of the General Division, Bureau of Latin American & Caribbean Affairs affiliated to the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, introduced the political party exchanges between China and Latin American countries; An Dali, former chief representative of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) in Central America, analyzed the current economic and trade relations between China and Latin America. Pang Zhongying, President of The Institute of Marine Development, Ocean University of China, expounded the relationship between the concept of a “Community of Shared Future for Mankind” and global governance. And Xu Shicheng, honorary member of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, made comments on the above speeches.

In the following four units, Chinese and foreign participants expressed their views and discussed the necessity of and opportunities and challenges in promoting the building of a China-Latin America Community of Shared Future, and reached consensus on the following aspects:

First of all, a Community of Shared Future for Mankind is a concept, and “Belt & Road” is a concrete initiative, the two complement and benefit each other. China proposes to promote the construction of a China-Latin America Community of Shared Future, which will help provide impetus for the development of China-Latin America relations. Both sides should adopt it as a new development goal in bilateral relations. China should step up publicityefforts to make the concept of a “Community of Shared Future for Mankind” accepted and recognized by more Latin American people.

Secondly, to regard Latin America as a natural extension of the "Belt & Road" helps enhance the international influence of this initiative, strengthen China-Latin America relations and promote the building of a China-Latin America Community of Shared Future. However, in implementing the “Belt & Road” initiative, especially in the process of promoting the construction of a China-Latin America Community of Shared Future, the two sides should take a positive attitude to avoid empty talk and put forward feasible proposals on top-level design.

Thirdly, in the process of building and promoting a China-Latin America Community of Shared Future, the two sides shouldn’t underestimate various challenges that they may have to face. China and Latin America should take positive measures to enhance the understanding of Latin Americans’ of China's status and role in the development of Latin America, and promote the sound development of the diversification of trade structure between China and Latin America.

Zhang Tuo, former Chinese Ambassador to Bolivia, Venezuela and Cuba, summarized the meeting.

The symposium was hosted by Jiang Shixue, special-term professor of Shanghai University and also director of the Centre for Latin American Studies, Institute of Global Studies, Shanghai University. More than 50 Chinese and foreign experts and scholars, as well as representatives of relevant departments from China, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Brazil, Jamaica, Spain, Australia, and the United States attended the event.