Delegation of China-Latin America Friendship Association Visits Four Latin American Countries

Cheng Siwei， former Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’Congress and President of the China-Latin America Friendship Association (CLAFA)， led a CLAFA delegation on a visit to four Central and South American countries from October 25 to November 11， 2009 during which they met national leaders and other influential persons in the fields of foreign and cultural relations. The visits were undertaken at the invitation of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP)， the Bolivian Society of Friends of China (BSFC)， the Mexican Council on International Affairs (MCIA) and the Suriname-China Friendship Association (SCFA).

Among the distinguished local personalities who greeted the Chinese delegation were Runaldo Ronald Venetiaan， President of Suriname， Paul Somohardjo and Caprino Alendy， Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively of the National Assembly of Suriname， Alvaro Garcia Linera， Vice President of Bolivia， and Ramon Pez Ferro， Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Cuban National Assembly of People’s Power.

The delegation’s visit attracted much attention. Bolivia is located at an altitude of more than 4，000m. After a number of transfers among the airports， the delegation arrived at the capital city of La Paz at midnight and was met by the protocol chief of the Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs who then accompanied the delegation throughout its visit to Bolivia.

The Sino-Latin American relationship has bright prospects. During his meeting with the delegation， Surinamese President Runaldo Ronald Venetiaan said the two countries enjoyed traditional friendly exchanges and China was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Suriname， and had since then provided precious assistance with infrastructure construction and development in various fields. Bolivian Vice President Garcia said the 21st century would prove to be the era of China whose eye-catching development would ensure it played an important global role. Bolivia is rich in mineral resources; China is advanced in science and technology and has an immense market. The Bolivian Government hoped the two countries would strengthen cooperation. Ramon Pez Ferro， Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Cuban National Assembly of People’s Power， praised China for achieving amazing progress in its development despite the global financial crisis， and expressed Cuba’s desire to continue to maintain an all-round friendly cooperative relationship.

During his meeting with the leaders of the four countries， President Cheng briefed them on the achievements of New China in the past six decades and the development of the Sino-Latin American friendly relations. The CLAFA would continue to make efforts to further these friendly relations between China and Latin America as well as countries in the Caribbean Region， and continue to push forward non-governmental exchanges and cooperation. He believed the friendly relationship between China and Latin American and Caribbean countries would have a glorious future.

Briefings on China’s opening-up and reform and policies in response to the world financial crisis and efforts to establish a harmonious society. During their visit to Cuba， the CLAFA delegation attended the Second Forum on China-Latin America and Caribbean People-to-People Friendship jointly sponsored by the CPAFFC， the CLAFA and the Latin America Federation of Friendship with China in Havana. President Cheng delivered a speech at the opening ceremony in Spanish and had an interview with Cuban TV answering questions on the current situation of Sino-Latin American relations.

At a special meeting held by the Mexican Council on International Affairs， President Cheng delivered a speech entitled “China—the Engine of World Economy”， summarizing the great achievements in the six decades since the founding of New China， especially the last 30 years of opening-up and reform， the influence of the international financial crisis on China’s economy and the series of measures taken by the Chinese government in response， as well as the concept of China’s commitment to building a well-off and harmonious society. Representatives of Mexican business， education and media circles， diplomats from Chinese Embassy and representatives of Chinese enterprises totaling over a hundred people， attended the lecture and gave warm acclaim. President Cheng also had a discussion with hundreds of government officials and scholars about the current economic situation and the Sino-Cuban relationship at the Cuban Center for Studies on Asia.

Working Meetings with Friendship-with-China Organizations. During the visit， the delegation had work meetings with the ICAP， the BSFC， the Mexican Association of Friendship with China and the SCFA respectively， and exchanged views on strengthening cooperation.