China-Latin America 'Salon of Ambassadors' reading session held in Beijing

On Aug. 20, the China-Latin America "Salon of Ambassadors" reading session was held in Beijing, gathering ambassadors and diplomats from over 10 Spanish-speaking countries. The event was hosted by the China International Book Trading Corporation under China International Communications Group (CICG). 

Participants take a group photo at the China-Latin America "Salon of Ambassadors" reading session in Beijing, Aug. 20, 2026. [Photo/CICG] 

Taking cultural and tourism exchanges as a bond, the event brought together ambassadors of Panama, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Peru, and the Dominican Republic, embassy officials from Honduras, Costa Rica, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Chile, and Uruguay, and other diplomatic representatives of Spanish-speaking countries.

Chang Bo, president of China International Communications Group (CICG), speaks at the China-Latin America "Salon of Ambassadors" reading session in Beijing, Aug. 20, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

CICG President Chang Bo attended the event and delivered a speech. He said that CICG launched the reading session to foster exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations via book-sharing activities. This gathering allowed participants to immerse themselves in the diverse civilizations of Latin America, alongside the history and accomplishments of bilateral exchanges. 

Chang added that CICG will further its engagement with media outlets, publishing entities, think tanks, and cultural institutions across Spanish-speaking countries, so as to fully illustrate the vivid practices and fruitful outcomes of building a community with a shared future for humanity between China and Spanish-speaking countries.

Miguel Humberto Lecaro Barcenas, ambassador of Panama to China, speaks at the China-Latin America "Salon of Ambassadors" reading session in Beijing, Aug. 20, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

In his address, Miguel Humberto Lecaro Barcenas, Panama's ambassador to China, encouraged the participants to turn the pages and delve into the cultural and spiritual essence of Latin America. He called on all countries to leverage books and periodicals as bridges to consolidate cultural, economic, and trade links, and further foster people-to-people bonds.

The event saw the unveiling of the Spanish-Chinese bilingual special issue of LOOKWE magazine themed on Latin America. The new publication was jointly compiled by embassies of over 10 Spanish-speaking countries in China, offering readers a cultural journey in print.

At the venue, these Spanish-speaking countries set up book stands showcasing classic literature, history titles, art albums, and cultural artifacts. An immersive cultural market was also arranged for participants to engage with the heritage of Chinese civilization.

Participants visit the book stands and immersive cultural market at the China-Latin America "Salon of Ambassadors" reading session in Beijing, Aug. 20, 2026. [Photo/CICG]