On December 10, China released the document on China’s Policy on Latin America and the Caribbean 2025, the third dedicated exclusively to the region after the 2008 and 2016 editions.
This update occurs in an international context characterized by increasingly intense strategic competition between major powers, the acceleration of technological changes and the reorganization of global value chains.
Given this scenario, the new “White Paper” seeks to convey strategic continuity but also an expansion of areas of cooperation, showing that Beijing perceives Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) as a partner with growing structural relevance.
The document is divided into five sections, including a prologue, two contextualization chapters and a detailed development of “five programs” that will guide bilateral relations over the next decade. In this discursive architecture, we can see China’s willingness to situate its LAC relations within a broader geopolitical framework: the rise of emerging powers and the redefinition of the role of the “Global South” in international governance.
Beijing portrays the relationship with the LAC as a constitutive part of building a “community of shared future,” a central concept of contemporary Chinese diplomacy that combines normative aspirations, strategic interests and the search for international legitimacy.
The first two parts describe LAC as a dynamic region that has its own political identity and a long tradition of strategic autonomy.
The economic complementarity between both parties is also highlighted, which paves the way for the following programs.
The “Solidarity Program” emphasizes the need to strengthen political dialogue and consolidate mutual trust.
It reaffirms the “One China” principle as the cornerstone of bilateral relations and proposes deepening exchanges between parliaments, parties and intergovernmental organizations.
It also pushes for greater coordination in multilateral forums and suggests Beijing wants to build diplomatic coalitions with LAC on key global debates, from financial system reform to discussions on digital governance.
The most comprehensive “development program” forms the core of the document. It is concerned with implementing the Global Development Initiative, deepening the Belt and Road, and expanding trade and investment. A significant section is dedicated to innovation and technology, including artificial intelligence, clean energy, biotechnology, space cooperation and the BeiDou system.
The reference to the use of local currencies and financial cooperation illustrates China’s intention to promote an economic order that is less dependent on the dollar. In analytical terms, this program shows that Beijing wants to position itself as an indispensable partner for Latin America’s productive transformation, particularly in technology-intensive sectors and strategic infrastructure.
The Civilizations Program focuses on cultural, educational and communications diplomacy. By promoting Chinese language learning, academic exchanges and cross-media collaboration, China seeks to strengthen the social foundations of connectedness and counter-narratives that pose the relationship with Beijing as a challenge to the West.
The “Peace Program” covers traditional and non-traditional security cooperation, including military dialogues, participation in peace operations, judicial arrangements, anti-corruption, combating transnational crime and cybersecurity.
Alignment with the Global Security Initiative aims to project a security vision based on stability and cooperation, but also raises questions about China’s future presence in sensitive areas of the regional security architecture.
Finally, the “People’s Program” brings together initiatives related to social development, poverty alleviation, health cooperation, tourism and exchanges between local governments.
Its aim is to expand the human dimension of connection and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. From an analytical perspective, this program strengthens China’s strategy of building a comprehensive relationship that goes beyond economic aspects to include social aspects.
In geopolitical terms, the document confirms that China gives LAC a strategic place in its global projection, promoting the diversification of associations and the expansion of its technological, financial and diplomatic presence.
Given the recent U.S. National Security Strategy, which places increased focus on the Western Hemisphere, this Chinese endorsement takes on particular significance: it assumes a scenario of greater competition for influence in Latin America and a regional repositioning in the face of the emerging dynamics of the international system.
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