SELA has played a key role in promoting regional integration and development in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Through its work in areas such as economic growth, digital and infrastructure transformation, and social development, it has contributed to strengthening the capacities of its Member States. Based on these achievements, SELA is increasingly called upon to expand its scope by building strategic partnerships beyond the region. In this regard, China stands out as a decisive partner, not only because of its economic weight at the global level, but also because it has become one of the main trading partners of LAC countries, including Brazil, Chile, Peru and Argentina. This growing trade relationship highlights the need to strengthen cooperation frameworks to take advantage of mutual opportunities in trade, investment, infrastructure and sustainable development.

With this purpose in mind, SELA organized the first “Latin America and the Caribbean-China Development Forum” in 2024, in Beijing, China, with the goal of building a strategic partnership based on mutual cooperation and sustainable development. This event provided an inclusive and dynamic platform for political, commercial, and academic stakeholders from both regions, where they discussed critical areas for collaboration, shared challenges, and emerging opportunities in bilateral economic relations.

As a result of this forum, SELA published “The Relationship between Latin America and the Caribbean and China: Notes for a Development Agenda,” which offers a current diagnosis of the relations between China and LAC, and a complementary document summarizing the perspectives and concerns of regional integration organisations, national stakeholders, and economic institutions that participated in the forum.

Within the efforts to promote more and better integration, SELA aims to advance more lines of action to develop a joint work agenda between China and ALC. In this context, building upon the momentum of the first edition, SELA, in partnership with the Andean Community (CAN), and Institute of Latin American Studies (ILAS) of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), will host this second edition, marking a step forward in fostering deeper engagement and a more unified regional voice.

The Andean Community’s involvement adds strategic depth to this effort. As part of a subregional integration bloc, CAN countries have been among the beneficiaries of Chinese investments in infrastructure, energy, and transport. For instance, Peru hosts the Chancay Port Project, which is expected to become China’s major logistics hub on the South Pacific coast. Ecuador has received investments between 2010 and 2022, particularly in hydroelectric power and mining. In Colombia, more than 40 Chinese companies are active in infrastructure, renewable energy, and transport, including a major participation in the Bogotá Metro. And Bolivia has received investments in transport and energy, as part of a broader trend of Chinese engagement in the Andean region.

Through this joint effort, the II Forum aims not only to consolidate the ties between LAC and China, but also to motivate a greater commitment of the Asian country with the region by hosting future meetings in LAC territory. The overall vision is to establish a permanent LAC–China Development Forum, which will serve as an institutionalised space for policy coordination, dialogue, needs assessment, and shared goal setting, with the aim of promoting synergies and strengthening regional integration within the evolving global economic architecture.

Focus Area:

The Latin America and the Caribbean-China Development Forum will focus on the following key

areas: 

Exchange and assessment of modernisation experiences: exchange of national development strategies and policy innovation to better understand each region’s modernisation pathways.

Trade and investment: identification of trade opportunities, investment partnerships, and market access for goods and services, promoting economic diversification and mutual growth.

Investment cooperation in traditional and emerging industries: promotion of joint initiatives in both established sectors and emerging industries, fostering innovation and sustainable development.

Global governance cooperation: strengthening collaboration and addressing global challenges such as digital governance.

Services sector: promoting and strengthening cooperation in key services industries such as logistics and tourism to support inclusive growth and enhance integration between LAC and China.

Benefits:

Latin American and Caribbean countries can access the vast Chinese market, while China can invest in and benefit from the resources and markets of our region. This Latin America and the Caribbean-China Development Forum offers numerous advantages to both China and the participating Latin American and Caribbean nations, including:

• Exchange and appreciation of modernization experiences: promoting mutual understanding of modernization models and policy reform processes allows both regions to benefit from each other’s experiences in governance, technology, and institutional transformation. Latin American and Caribbean countries can draw lessons from China’s rapid development and innovation, while the Asian country gains insights into LAC’s approaches to social inclusion and sustainability. This exchange fosters better alignment in policy dialogue and paves the way for long-term cooperation through joint learning initiatives and institutional capacity-building.
• Trade and investment: the Forum enable the negotiation of trade agreements and investment partnerships that reduce trade barriers, enhance access to new markets, and create opportunities for both Chinese and LAC businesses. Latin American and Caribbean nations can benefit from China’s vast consumer market and capital flows, while China secures access to strategic commodities and diversified supply chains. These actions stimulate economic growth, job creation, and productive transformation on both sides.
• Investment cooperation in traditional and emerging industries: by aligning investment interests in both conventional and high growth sectors, this cooperation opens new avenues for innovation and economic diversification. China brings financing and industrial capacity, while LAC offers critical resources and emerging markets. The result is enhanced resilience, modernization of production chains, and the generation of high-value employment across sectors.
• Cooperation in global governance: deeper collaboration among international institutions allows China and LAC to jointly address global challenges like climate change, digital governance, and financial stability. Participating countries benefit from a stronger collective voice in shaping a fairer multilateral system. This cooperation helps LAC countries become more influential actors in global decision-making processes while reinforcing China’s ties with the Global South through shared principles of equity, sustainability, and development.
• Services sector: expanding cooperation in key service industries enhances connectivity and unlocks new economic opportunities for both regions. Latin American and Caribbean countries offer rich cultural heritage, natural diversity, and unique destinations that are increasingly attractive to travellers. Promoting tourism flows through joint marketing, direct air routes, and simplified visa regimes can stimulate local economies, generate employment, and deepen mutual understanding. For China, tourism partnerships contribute to outbound travel diversification and the internationalization of its service sector. Additionally, collaboration in other service areas such as finance, education, and the creative industries reinforces integration and inclusive development.
• Academic exchange and joint research development: it will allow the sharing of best practices and knowledge regarding technological development in strategic areas for the region.

The Forum is hosted by the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA), in collaboration with the Andean Community (CAN), and the Institute of Latin American Studies (ILAS) of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).

Date: 11 June 2025.
Time: 09:00 – 16:00 (Eastern Standard Time/EST)
Languages: Spanish with simultaneous interpretation into English.
Modality: The forum will be held in a hybrid format.

• Face to face: sessions will be held in Lima, Peru. Attendance will be at the invitation of the organisers.
• Virtual: open to the public, registration free of charge.

Registration link: http://bit.ly/3GjOy05

METHODOLOGY

A face-to-face event, with two parts comprising:

1. Analysis and debate by experts on the current situation of relations between Latin America and the Caribbean and China, identifying the strengths and opportunities for both parties.
2. In accordance with the proposed thematic areas, creation or designation of working groups to coordinate with delegates of the subregional secretariats in order to discuss lines of work for the optimal use of the relations between China and Latin America and the Caribbean.

The main objective of the China-Latin America and the Caribbean Forum is to strengthen political, economic, and cultural ties among the participating nations.

In addition, this event also aims to facilitate dialogue, cooperation, and sustainable development in the following key areas:

• Economic partnerships. Promotion of trade and investment between China and LAC, seeking to create mutually beneficial opportunities for both parties.
• Promotion of cooperation in infrastructure development, including transport, energy, and technology, to foster regional connectivity and economic growth.
• Sustainable development. Enhancing sustainable practices to address shared challenges faced by participating nations.
• Services sector. Strengthening cooperation and promoting new economic opportunities for both regions.
• Academic exchange and development of joint research.

Draft Agenda:
Av. Paseo de la República 3895 San Isidro, Lima. Perú
11 June 2025