On May 13, 2025, Beijing hosted the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Forum-a summit that not only marked a decade of growing engagement between China and Latin America but also signaled the dawn of a new phase in South-South cooperation. In a world increasingly shaped by geopolitical realignments and shifting economic power centers, the Forum served as a platform for reinforcing unity, mutual development, and a shared vision of a fairer global order.

The significance of this gathering went well beyond diplomatic symbolism. It brought together not only foreign ministers and high-level representatives from CELAC’s 33 member states, but also presidents of regional heavyweights-Gustavo Petro of Colombia, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, and Gabriel Boric of Chile-highlighting Latin America’s deepening commitment to China as a trusted development partner. The New York Times aptly cited experts who believe that this enthusiastic participation reflects an unmistakable desire by Latin American governments to “keep Beijing onside” amid uncertain times.

In a keynote address during the Forum’s opening ceremony, Chinese President Xi Jinping laid out an ambitious blueprint for the next phase of China-LAC cooperation. Emphasizing solidarity, development, civilization, peace, and people-to-people connectivity, Xi announced five key cooperative programs to pursue mutual growth and revitalization. Using a vivid metaphor, he described the Forum’s evolution over the past decade: “Ten years on, with dedicated nurturing of both sides, the Forum has grown from a tender sapling into a towering tree.”

This metaphor resonated deeply with the theme of the ministerial meeting-advancing shared development and revitalization, while building a China-LAC community with a shared future. It illustrated the organic growth of bilateral and multilateral ties,........

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