On October 17-18, the 13th China-Latin America High-Level Academic Dialogue Forum was held in São Paulo, Brazil. Nearly a hundred experts and scholars from China, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and the United States gathered to discuss topics including global governance, environmental protection, poverty alleviation, and energy transition.
In an interview, Professor Luis Antonio Paulino from São Paulo State University remarked on the impressive progress in China-Latin America relations over the past few decades, noting significant potential for future growth. He expressed hope that high-level dialogue platforms, such as this academic forum, would help various sectors in both regions identify new cooperation opportunities and foster mutual advancement in technology, education, and economy.
Former Brazilian Defense Minister Aldo Rebelo, along with other prominent officials like the Deputy Director of São Paulo’s International Relations Bureau, Figueiredo, highlighted the forum as a valuable opportunity to envision future exchanges and collaborative efforts between the two countries.
During the opening speech, Chinese Consul General Yu Peng emphasized that this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil. He pointed out that their bilateral cooperation has yielded significant results and reflects promising development prospects. Yu noted that São Paulo, as the largest city in Latin America and a crucial hub for Brazil’s political, economic, and cultural activities, has consistently been at the forefront of collaboration with China. He credited the São Paulo city government and São Paulo State University, along with its Confucius Institute, for their substantial support in bolstering these ties. He expressed China’s eagerness to work collaboratively with Brazil and other Latin American countries to build a secure, cooperative, and prosperous future for both China-Latin America and China-Brazil relations.
Several scholars in attendance reiterated the achievements of China-Latin America cooperation, highlighting its mutual benefits and setting an example for Southern countries worldwide.
“The flourishing China-Latin America partnership serves as a model for collaboration among developing nations,” stated Chai Yu, Director of the Latin American Studies Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, in a video address. He emphasized that both China and Latin America, representing the Global South, face complex challenges across political, economic, and social dimensions. Strengthening international standing, mutual assistance, and coordinated development are essential to establishing a new international order, restoring confidence in global prosperity, and creating a new paradigm for cooperation among Southern nations.
This forum was co-organized by the Latin American Studies Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, São Paulo State University, the International Relations Bureau of São Paulo City, and the Confucius Institute at São Paulo State University.
