China, LatAm deepen digital cooperation, seek new opportunities for development

CHONGQING -- Cooperation in digital technology between China and Latin America is thriving and has become an integral component of their overall partnership, according to a forum held Monday in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.

The 2023 China CELAC Digital Technology Cooperation Forum brought together heads of government departments, diplomatic envoys, and representatives from relevant international organizations, representing 16 Latin American and Caribbean countries.

This event served as a pivotal sub-forum within the ongoing Smart China Expo 2023. Some foreign representatives emphasized the vast potential of the digital market in Latin America and its robust development demand, saying that they eagerly anticipate collaborative efforts and mutually beneficial partnerships with China in this field.

Latin American and Caribbean countries, especially those reliant on manufactured goods imports, are very dependent on advancements in science and technology, said Daniel Filmus, Argentina's minister of science, technology and innovation.

He stressed that digital technology possesses the potential to address specific challenges and enhance the well-being of people, while expressing his aspirations for comprehensive collaboration with China to achieve mutual development goals.

"We acknowledge the efforts of China and CELAC in promoting an environmentally sustainable economic and digital transformation, facing global challenges, promoting socio-economic development, progress and well-being of peoples," said Cristina Shimoda, acting director of the Department of Science, Technology and Digital Innovation under Brazil's Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. "Brazil is keen to deepen collaboration opportunities in terms of mobility of researchers and technological development."

Data reveals that the trade volume between China and Latin America had nearly reached 500 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, reaffirming China's steadfast position as Latin America's second-largest trading partner.

This forum is poised to catalyze deeper cooperation between China and Latin America within the digital technology sector, said Zhang Yunming, vice minister of industry and information technology.

Zhang said China anticipates collaborating with Latin American and Caribbean nations to advance mutually beneficial and mutually rewarding endeavors in digital economic cooperation and trade exchange.