Chinese Foreign Ministry on 10-year achievements in building China-LAC Community with Shared Future

The proposal of building a community with a shared future between China and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) has generated fruitful outcomes, and benefited the people of the two sides over the past decade, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.

Lin made the statement in response to a reporter's question about Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to Latin America and Xi's proposal of building a China-LAC community with a shared future.

"Over the past decade, President Xi Jinping's proposal of building a China-LAC community with a shared future has been translated from a vision to action and from a blueprint to reality. The proposal has generated fruitful outcomes, benefited the people of the two sides and is widely welcomed by LAC countries. China and Latin America hold high the banner of peaceful development and cooperation, forge stronger synergy between each other's development strategies, upgrade and accelerate cooperation and share the outcomes of cooperation. Both sides uphold true multilateralism and work for more just and equitable global governance," said Lin.

"China and Brazil jointly issued six common understandings on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis and launched the Group of Friends for Peace on the Ukraine crisis together with other like-minded Global South countries to build global synergy on deescalating the situation. China is the second largest trading partner for Latin America and the largest trading partner for many countries in the region. China has signed free trade agreement with five countries and engaged in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with 22 countries in this region. The cooperation between the two sides has been expanded from traditional areas including economy and trade, finance and infrastructure to such emerging areas as energy, digital economy and aerospace. The direct flights between China and Latin America have become an 'Air Silk Road'. China has actively provided human resources training programs to Latin America, sent medical and agricultural experts there and promoted 'small yet smart' livelihood programs on growing bamboos and Juncao to boost development and revitalization in the region," said Lin.

"China is always a trustworthy friend and partner to LAC countries and their peoples. The China-LAC relationship has entered a new era characterized by equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and more benefits for the people. President Xi Jinping will soon pay another visit to Latin America, which will be his sixth visit to the continent since 2013. We believe under the guidance of heads-of-state diplomacy, the China-LAC community with a shared future will enjoy more promising prospects in the next decade," said Lin.

Chinese Foreign Ministry on 10-year achievements in building China-LAC Community with Shared Future

Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.

Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.

More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.

Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.

"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.

During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.

"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.

In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.

With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.

"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.

Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition