8th China-LatAm civilization dialogue held in Wuxi

On Sept. 12, the eighth Dialogue between the Civilizations of China and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) was held in Wuxi, eastern China's Jiangsu province, under the theme "Promoting development towards a shared future through mutual learning between civilizations."

Fang Wei, vice governor of Jiangsu province, addresses the eighth Dialogue between the Civilizations of China and the LAC in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, Sept. 12, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

Fang Wei, vice governor of Jiangsu province, reviewed the province's cooperation with Latin America countries from three perspectives: the splendor of civilizations, canal culture, and sister city exchanges. He noted that Jiangsu, as a Chinese province leading in economy and rich in culture, maintains meaningful ties with Latin America. He called for closer exchanges to deepen mutual understanding and advance practical cooperation, adding that Jiangsu will work to make the dialogue a stronger platform for engagement and partnership between the two sides.

Xie Gang, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), addresses the eighth Dialogue between the Civilizations of China and the LAC in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, Sept. 12, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

Xie Gang, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), said cultural exchanges between China and Latin America have a long history. He called for win-win cooperation, more dialogue on green development, and stronger cultural ties. He added that CICG, drawing on its experience in cultural exchange programs across the region, will continue working with governments, think tanks, and media to expand partnerships, support the five programs established at the fourth ministerial meeting of the China–CELAC Forum in May, and help usher in a new golden decade of relations.

Anyin Choo, ambassador of Guyana to China, addresses the eighth Dialogue between the Civilizations of China and the LAC in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, Sept. 12, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

Anyin Choo, ambassador of Guyana to China, described world civilization as a "mosaic" enriched by both Latin American and Chinese traditions. She highlighted cooperation between Guyana and Jiangsu in public health as a model of meaningful exchange, and encouraged all sides to listen, share, and collaborate in building a more peaceful and prosperous world.

Dialogue guests pose for a group photo in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, Sept. 12, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

At the opening ceremony, the China Jiangsu-Latin America University Consortium and the 2025 LAC Day were officially launched. A new publication, China-Latin America Green Development Cooperation, jointly produced by Blossom Press, the Institute of Latin American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), and the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies (ACCWS), was also released.

During the dialogue, representatives from governments, industries, academia, and research institutions of both China and the LAC held in-depth discussions on two topics, cultural exchange and innovation to build bridges for civilizational exchange, and ecological civilization and sustainable development to promote a climate-resilient future together. Another two events were also held in Jiangsu as part of the 2025 LAC Day.

Now, the dialogue has been included in the action plan of the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Conference, and its eighth edition this year has become an important platform for implementing the outcomes of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China–CELAC Forum.

The event was co-hosted by the foreign affairs office of the Jiangsu Provincial People's Government, the CASS Institute of Latin American Studies, and ACCWS. More than 150 people attended, including diplomats from nearly 20 countries, as well as representatives from international organizations, Latin American sister cities, think tanks, media outlets, business communities, and youth groups.