Significance

Countries in Latin America make up an important part of the developing world and have great importance in China's foreign relations. Although China's relationships with Latin American political parties predate its diplomatic relations with their countries, for a long time party relations had little influence on the development of state relations in the region due to ideological differences. Following changes in its foreign policy since China's reform and opening up, the CPC has actively conducted well-oriented and diversified exchange programs with Latin American political parties to facilitate the growth of their state relations, in view of the prevalence of political parties and popularity of the multiple-party political system in Latin American countries and the fact that their party leaders' play significant roles in state affairs. This new approach has enhanced China's state relations with Latin American countries to the benefit of its reform and opening up program and socialist modernization.

Li Changchun (first from left), Member of the Standing Committee of Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee at the signing ceremony of the Investment Agreement of the Gree Brazil Ltd during his visit to Brazil in 1999. [File Photo]

Successful party exchanges have enhanced mutual understanding and friendship and create a favorable political environment for cooperation between the countries involved. Through party exchanges, top leaders of China and Latin American countries communicate directly on international and regional issues of common concern as well as on bilateral relations from a strategic and political perspective. The result is mutually beneficial cooperation in such fields as politics, economy, culture and science.

Exchanges also act as important learning resources, as either side can draw from the other's experience and expertise on managing state affairs. Both belonging to the developing world, China and Latin American countries value the other's experience and lessons, as they are often faced with the same or similar problems in their shared goal of developing their economies and improving the lives of their peoples. At present, China and Latin American countries are facing opportunities and challenges arising along the course of economic globalization and the increasing multi-polarity of the world. Experience sharing and joint theoretical efforts in search of a suitable development road and mode have provided inteligent support for China's economic and social development and party building in the present era.

Economic issues are also high on the agendas of the CPC and Latin American political parties, in the hope of promoting economic exchanges and thus contributing towards economic development and the improvement of people's livelihood. Political and economic relations are closely intertwined, and they form a reciprocal cycle if well managed. This is a concensus among political parties throughout the world. Party exchanges provide a platform for countries to deepen their economic relations and promote mutually beneficial cooperation. China is working actively to bring economic factors into its political exchanges and promote economic and trade cooperations. For example, during their visits to Latin American countries, leaders from the CPC central committee and local committees have initiated many economic cooperation programs while discussing problems embedded in their bilateral relations and pushing the development of political ties with their host countries.

In addition, party exchanges have also promoted people-to-people exchanges. Relations between China and Latin America are entering a new era of development. To help the world better understand modern China is currently a major task for the CPC's international activities. Political parties usually have wide connections with labor unions, youth and women's organizations, non-governmental organizations, research institutions and media agencies. Political party exchanges can push forward communication and cooperation of the above-mentioned organizations in China and Latin America, and establish platforms for bilateral cooperation and mutual understanding. In this way a new pattern will take shape in China's diplomacy featuring the effective combination of communication between the parties, states and peoples of China and the wider world.

Finally, political party exchanges will help enhance China's international image, boost mutual trust, and dispel mutual suspicion. China and Latin American countries still lack deep understanding of one another due to their vast geographic distance and sparse exchanges in the past. Influenced by the Western media and differing political systems, many latin American countries have a weak foundation of mutual political trust with China.

Domestically, after more than 30 years of reform and opening up, China has blazed a trail of socialist development with Chinese characteristics and stunned the world with its achievements. In terms of foreign affairs, China has chosen the way of open, cooperative, shared and peaceful development. China's peaceful rising has broken the historical precedent of great power means world hegemony, and China is gaining understanding and support from more and more countries. By conducting active and flexible party diplomacy with Latin America and reporting China's major policies, economic and social development situations, and explaining China's concept of peaceful development, the CPC has pushed forward the common development of China and countries in the region and contributed greatly to building a harmonious world.