The academic divisions of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences organized a two-day online forum on development cooperation and mutual learning of development-related experiences between China and Latin America and the Caribbean on May 24-25.

At this second scholars’ forum on China-LAC Relations, scholars, officials and entrepreneurs from China and the LAC exchanged views on development achievements and inspirations of the developing world, challenges of development, development results and demands between China and LAC, and bilateral cooperation in the post-COVID-19 era.

The scholars agreed that the world should safeguard and improve multilateralism, in which the China-proposed Global Development Initiative and Belt and Road Initiative could play an important role. Infrastructure, energy, agriculture and clean development will be the focus of China-LAC cooperation.

Scholars pointed out that China and the LAC countries should enhance mutual learning and understanding to effectively advance cooperation.

Former Guyanese foreign minister Clement Rohee put forward that “think globally and work locally” can help countries pursue paths of development suitable for their national conditions.

Ouyang Jun, professor at the Center for Latin America and the Caribbean Studies, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, said there had been growing signs of challenges to globalization, with security, ideology and populism overriding considerations while dealing with global supply problems, apart from the marginalization of the World Trade Organization.

Chen Taotao, director of the Latin America Center at Tsinghua University, said there is no global concensus against globalization, and the world is at a phase when countries are reconsidering how to benefit from globalization.

The forum was co-organized by the CASS Institute of Latin American Studies, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Global Network of Think Tanks on Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Development, and Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences.