- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets Caribbean counterparts in Beijing ahead of the China-CELAC Forum.
- President Xi Jinping to address the forum, with new cooperation agreements on tech, trade, and infrastructure expected.
- The meetings underscore China's growing economic and diplomatic engagement in the region amid US-China tensions.
Deepening Caribbean Engagement
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with foreign ministers and representatives from Caribbean nations in Beijing on Thursday, setting the stage for the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum. The gathering, which President Xi Jinping will open with a keynote address, is poised to review and expand cooperation between China and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. Key sectors include technology, trade, infrastructure, and the Belt and Road Initiative, according to sources familiar with the agenda.
Economic and Diplomatic Push
The meetings reflect China's broader strategy to strengthen ties with LAC nations through multilateral platforms that emphasize mutual benefit and South-South cooperation. Unlike traditional Western approaches, China's engagement is framed as non-interventionist, with a focus on development partnerships. "China respects the independence and choices of Caribbean countries," a diplomatic source noted, highlighting Beijing's opposition to US sanctions on allies like Cuba.
Future Cooperation
Outcome documents from the forum are expected to outline new initiatives in digital economy, green energy, and food security, building on a decade of China-CELAC collaboration. Analysts suggest these efforts could further shift some LAC economies toward China, particularly as US-China trade tensions persist. The forum also underscores China's interest in leveraging technological and logistical integration to expand its influence in the Western Hemisphere.