BEIJING, May 29 -- "China stands ready to work with the defense establishments and militaries of Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries to deepen substantive cooperation in such areas as mutual visits, professional exchanges and personnel training," said Chinese Defense Spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang at a regular press conference on Thursday, when being asked to introduce military cooperation between China and LAC countries.
The spokesperson pointed out that recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum and delivered a keynote address. President Xi summarized the best practices for developing China-LAC relations, and announced the launch of five programs of Solidarity, Development, Civilization, Peace and People-to-People Connectivity, which have charted the course for building the China-LAC community with a shared future.
The spokesperson said that China-LAC cooperation has withstood winds and rains, and transcended mountains and oceans across half a globe. The cooperation has bolstered economic growth and improved the livelihoods of the LAC region, bringing tangible benefits to the local people. He added that in recent years, the Chinese and LAC militaries have had frequent high-level exchanges, and conducted numerous working level meetings. Events such as the China-LAC States Defense Forum, China-LAC Military Medicine Forum and Seminar for Senior Military Officers from LAC Countries have been held multiple times. China-LAC defense cooperation has been productive, and the friendship and mutual trust between the two sides have been continuously deepened.
"The Chinese side stands ready to work with the defense establishments and militaries of LAC countries to act on the Global Security Initiative, and deepen substantive cooperation in such areas as mutual visits, professional exchanges and personnel training. Together, we will promote sustained and solid progress in building a China-LAC Community with a Shared Future," the spokesperson stated in the end.