China’s Wang Yi wooing South American and Caribbean FMs in Santiago

World Today

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is in Chile, attending a forum on relations between China and Latin American and Caribbean nations. On the agenda is expanding the Belt and Road Initiative across the Pacific Ocean.

CGTN’s Joel Richards has more.

The China-CELAC Forum in Santiago brought together ministers from 24 countries to discuss the future of trade and investment, as well as broader relations between China and the region.

The ministerial meeting was the second of its kind; the first was in Beijing in 2015.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Chilean counterpart Heraldo Muñoz early in the afternoon, with more talks scheduled for the evening. Wang Yi is also due to meet with President-elect Sebastián Piñera.

Analysts say the forum could set in motion efforts to increase cooperation between China and Latin America. Last year, exports to China from the region to China increased significantly, and there are opportunities for large scale infrastructure projects, which many observers point out are vital for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Another key focus is innovation, and how China and Latin America can work together.

China’s foreign minister will also attend the Latin American Entrepreneurs Council on Monday, before continuing on his official visit to Uruguay.


Eric Farnsworth, Vice President of the Council of the Americas, discusses with CGTN’s Wang Guan.