"Friends must be old, good wine must be old." On June 5, 2013, President Xi Jinping quoted this Latin American proverb in his important speech in the Mexican Senate, which resonated with people.

The profound friendship accumulated over the years is like aged tequila, which lasts for a long time. In the new year of the Year of the Tiger in Renyin, the Beijing Winter Olympics have attracted worldwide attention. China and Latin American countries Mexico and Argentina will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations on February 14 and 19, 2022, respectively. During the visit of the President of Ecuador to China, the two sides issued a joint statement to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership. Under the leadership of the head of state's diplomacy, China-Latin America cooperation has been reported frequently, and happy events have been reported, adding more moving notes to the melody of the ensemble of shared destiny between China and Latin America.

Anti-epidemic cooperation elevates China-Mexico friendship

In the face of the epidemic of the century, China and Mexico have stood together and helped each other, setting an example of international solidarity in fighting the epidemic.

On September 18, 2021, at the invitation of Mexico, the rotating presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, President Xi Jinping pointed out in a video speech to the 6th CELAC Summit that in the face of the sudden outbreak of the new crown pneumonia, China and Latin America will help each other and carry out all-round cooperation. All-round anti-epidemic cooperation. China will continue to provide assistance within its capacity to Latin American and Caribbean countries to help countries in the region overcome the epidemic at an early date and resume economic and social development.

On April 7, 2020, the first batch of anti-epidemic medical supplies purchased by the Mexican federal government from China arrived in Mexico City, the capital of Mexico, by air.

The joint efforts of China and Mexico to fight the epidemic have further drawn each other's hearts. After the outbreak of the new crown epidemic, when the global medical supplies were in short supply, China overcame its own difficulties and provided anti-epidemic materials to Mexico through the "air bridge" in a timely manner. Since then, China has actively fulfilled its commitment to use the new crown vaccine as a global public health product. China has assisted Mexico in multiple batches of the new crown vaccine, effectively ensuring the implementation of Mexico's national vaccination plan.

As Mexican Foreign Minister Ebrard said, this fully reflects the great importance China attaches to Mexico-China relations and the profound friendship between the two peoples. The Mexican people will always remember China's generous help.

On February 22, 2021, in Ecatepec, Mexico, Carmen, the first 74-year-old man to be vaccinated against China's new crown vaccine on the same day, holds a Chinese and Spanish bilingual greeting after completing the vaccination.

Eugenio Angelano, Mexico's first ambassador to China, said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency that China has provided strong support to Mexico in its anti-epidemic cooperation, writing a new chapter for the development of bilateral relations.

Angelo said that the progress of Mexico-China relations is a microcosm of the development of China's diplomatic career. Over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Mexico and China have continuously improved their mutual understanding. The cooperation between the two sides has been active, high-quality and extensive, promoting the diversification of common interests, and the future development will continue to improve.

Strategic Alignment and Deepening of China-Arab Cooperation

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Argentina further promote the docking of development strategies

At noon on the 6th, President Xi Jinping met with Argentine President Fernandez, who was in China to attend the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, at the Great Hall of the People. Towards. The Chinese side is willing to work with the Arab side to carry forward the 50-year successful experience of bilateral relations, promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and open up the next glorious 50 years of China-Arab comprehensive strategic partnership.

The obelisk lit up with "China Red" in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina, on January 31, 2022

Fernandez said that Afghanistan has deep friendly feelings towards the Chinese people and is proud of the great achievements of bilateral cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries 50 years ago.

He said that Afghanistan will continue to actively participate in the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" cooperation, deepen cooperation in trade, agriculture, infrastructure construction and other fields, and welcome more Chinese enterprises to invest and cooperate in Afghanistan. Afghanistan is willing to cooperate closely with China within the international multilateral framework, practice multilateralism, and play a greater role in promoting cooperation between CELAC and China.

This is the construction site of Argentina's "Quise" hydropower plant project taken on August 26, 2021

The two sides issued the "Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Argentine Republic on Deepening the China-Argentina Comprehensive Strategic Partnership", and signed the "The Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Argentine Republic on Jointly Promoting the Construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road". A series of cooperation documents such as the Memorandum of Understanding.

Economic and Trade Cooperation Creates Opportunities for China and Ecuador

Thanks to the "New Year's Meeting" of the head of state's diplomacy, China-Latin America cooperation has started a new year with many happy events.

On the afternoon of February 5, 2022, President Xi Jinping met with Ecuadorian President Lasso, who was in China to attend the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, at the Great Hall of the People. Ecuador relations have entered a new stage of development.

Xi Jinping said that we should take the opening of free trade agreement negotiations as an opportunity to deepen practical cooperation.

Lasso said that China is Ecuador's most important cooperative partner. Cooperation with China is crucial to Ecuador's economic and social development. He stressed that China's assistance to other countries such as Ecuador has never attached any political conditions.

On the evening of February 4, 2022, the Ecuadorian delegation entered the stadium at the opening ceremony of the XXIV Winter Olympics

According to the "Joint Statement between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Ecuador on Deepening China-Ecuador Comprehensive Strategic Partnership", the two sides agreed to start negotiations on a China-Ecuador free trade agreement.

When introducing the results of his visit to China to the media after returning to China, Lasso pointed out that China is an important part of the world economy. After the signing of the free trade agreement, more high-quality products such as Ecuadorian prawns and bananas will be exported to China, which will bring great benefits to Ecuador. A large number of jobs will be created, thereby boosting the economy.

Catalina Barrero, deputy director of the National Institute for Advanced Study in Ecuador, believes that China's economy has shown resilience and great potential for economic and trade cooperation in the face of the epidemic. importance.

On September 6, 2021, the audience took pictures wearing Ecuadorian handicrafts in the Shougang Park of the 2021 China International Fair for Trade in Services

Knowing each other is not far or near, thousands of miles are still neighbors. After going through the changes in the international situation, China-Latin America relations have entered a new era of equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and benefiting the people. China-Latin America friendship is enduring and deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. From all-round anti-epidemic cooperation to further strategic docking, the ship of the China-Latin America community with a shared future will surely go a long way and benefit the world.Editor/Ma Xue