This session focus on a forward-looking analysis on future Sino-Latin American relationship based on current achievements and challenges. Participants reviewed the effects of China’s Policy Paper on Latin America and the Caribbean and discussed the sustainability of Sino-Latin American economic tie. Some scholars made suggestions for the initiation of Sino-Latin American Dialogue Forum.

In terms of current achievements and challenges of Sino-Latin American relationship, scholars content that since the publication of China’s Policy Paper on Latin America and the Caribbean five years ago, the bilateral relations have gained great progress. In retrospect of the past two decades of Chinese leaders’ visits to Latin America, both sides regard this relationship from strategic perspective, which boosted the mutual relations to an unprecedentedly high level. Economic cooperation and China’s investment in Latin America had rapid growth in recent years. On the other hand, some challenges still remain. Namely, there are trade deficit, de-industrialization, protectionism, and labor union’s opposition to China’s investment. Furthermore, it should also include factors beyond bilateral relations such as the U.S. rebalancing strategy in Asia-Pacific, debt crisis in Europe and other non-traditional security issues.

Chinese scholars proposed how to further maintain the sustainability in terms of economic ties. First, both sides should realize that the sustainability is based on mutual benefits and win-win policy. Since the EU and US are in economic recession, Sino-Latin American economic ties are beneficial to both parties. Secondly, China and Latin America are in the same period that they are going to make changes in economic and social structure.China is changing economic policy from export orientation to domestic consumption.Last,urbanization provides good opportunities for mutual relations. Latin American scholars reminded all the participants that Latin America is very important as an investment market with great potential and a good strategic partner. We should consider the reality of Latin American in the next decade and whether it would be an entity. Another opinion is that both parties should consider the contents on the new agenda and its relations to the past.The crucial issue is the possibilities to change economic relationship that is commodity based. As there are excitement and rising anxiety in Latin America policy dimension, China should think “beyond complementarity” as President of Brazil proposed and recognize both tension and cooperation. Besides, China could contribute to infrastructure building in Latin America since China has both money and capability.

While both sides are interested in the proposal of Sino-Latin America Cooperation Forum, Chinese scholars suggested that the two parties should make common efforts to initiate the forum and make it different from previous ones. Latin American scholars shared their views that it is asymmetric with regard to cultural relations. Chinese Confucius Institutes as a bridge have achieved a lot in recent years and cultural exchanges and contacts between China and Latin America, ordinary Chinese people know little about Latin American history and society. At the same time, Latin American countries have tried to promote their culture in China to deepen mutual understanding. They also believed that trade and investment connection are not enough, and both parties should talk about political issues in the long run and set new agenda including international financial system reform with new minds. Especially China’s foreign policy should attach more importance to ideas such as fair relations and justice.

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