First China-CELAC Forum ministerial meeting concludes in Beijing

BEIJING - The first ministerial meeting of the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) concluded in Beijing on Friday with the announcement that the forum's next meeting will be held in Chile in 2018.

The two-day meeting, co-chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Costa Rican counterpart, Manuel Gonzalez Sanz, passed three major documents: the Beijing Declaration, a five-year cooperation plan and the regulations on the China-CELAC forum.

China and CELAC have also reached a consensus on deepening political mutual trust, expanding cooperation and promoting development of the forum.

Wang said that President Xi Jinping's remarks at the opening ceremony will guide the development of the China-CELAC forum.

"China will make efforts so that both sides can reap early harvests from the forum and build a new model of South-South cooperation," Wang said.

Gonzalez said that the historical meeting has launched overall cooperation between China and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean region, which will build a closer CELAC-China relationship and benefit people from both sides.

Li stresses fair business at CELAC meeting

Premier Li Keqiang stressed the importance of creating a fair business environment and solid legal protection for Chinese investment during his meeting officials from Latin American and Caribbean countries in Beijing on Friday.

Praising current relations between China and Latin American and Caribbean countries, Li said that innovative methods of cooperation would boost the relationship and provide solid foundations for future success.

He made the remarks when meeting heads of the delegations - mostly foreign ministers - attending the first ministerial meeting of the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in Beijing.

Chile to hold 2nd ministerial meeting of China-CELAC forum

Chile will hold the next ministerial forum between China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in 2018 following the successful conclusion of the initial meeting in Beijing on Friday.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced the decision, agreed at the Beijing forum, when meeting journalists with his Costa Rican counterpart Manuel Gonzalez on Friday.

"The China-CELAC relationship has started a new stage with overall cooperation and bilateral relations developing at the same time and facilitating each other," Wang said.

The two-day meeting issued a document detailing the forum's direction, including a five-year cooperation plan, as well as two other documents on guidelines and regulations.

The plan, involving cooperation in 13 sectors such as trade and investment, infrastructure, energy and resources, sets the stage for an unprecedented level of cooperation between China and CELAC, according to Wang.

He noted that a package of financial arrangements - first raised by President Xi Jinping in July - is currently producing concrete results.

During a summer visit by Xi to Latin America, Xi and CELAC leaders announced the establishment of the cooperation forum and agreed to hold its first ministerial meeting as soon as possible.

Both foreign ministers said that the China-CELAC relationship will provide a range of benefits and is not aimed at any third party. Wang said that it will not affect or replace the exchange mechanisms either China or CELAC have established with other regions.

Gonzalez said China-CELAC cooperation had incredible potential.

(Chinadaily / Xinhua)