China-Latin America cooperation, shaped by the voluntary will of both sides, serves the interests of both peoples, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian during a daily press briefing on December 19. Lin made these remarks in response to an article titled “What China Got Right in Latin America” published by the U.S.-based Foreign Policy magazine. He emphasized that China’s significant investments in Latin America are a response to the West’s rhetoric on ideologies, providing a contrast to the high-minded discourses from the West.
Lin pointed out that China has always adhered to the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation in its relations with Latin America. He stated that there are no zero-sum or winner-takes-all geopolitical calculations between China and Latin America, but rather sincere mutual support and cooperation for shared progress.
Lin highlighted several successful projects, such as the first ship traveling from Peru’s Chancay Port to Shanghai, marking the first-ever two-way voyage between the two ports. Additionally, he mentioned the completion of the first metro line in Bogota, Colombia, built by Chinese companies, fulfilling the metro dream of the city’s residents. The Helios wind power project in Argentina provides clean energy for 360,000 households, and a new modern highway in Jamaica has reduced the travel time between the southern and northern coasts by half. Moreover, satellite cooperation between China and Bolivia has provided free access to TV programs for half a million households.