Writing a New Chapter in Building a China-Latin America and the Caribbean Community with a Shared Future ——Keynote Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the China-LAC Forum

I. An Overview of Current China-LAC Cooperation
 

Cooperation between China and Latin America and the Caribbean has deepened in recent years. In the economic and trade field, bilateral trade volume exceeded 500 billion US dollars in 2024, a 40-fold increase from 2000. Currently, China has signed visa-waiver agreements with seven Latin American and Caribbean countries, including Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, providing great convenience for personnel exchanges and trade interactions. In agricultural cooperation, China has established bilateral agricultural cooperation mechanisms with 19 CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) countries, including Argentina, Venezuela, and Uruguay. These mechanisms include working groups on soybeans, pesticides, fisheries, and other sectors, as well as provincial-ministerial coordination platforms. Additionally, the signing of free trade agreements helps reduce tariffs, accelerate trade flows, further expand agricultural trade between China and Latin America, and open up new frontiers for agricultural cooperation.

II. Benefits for Cross-Border Logistics

1. Growth in Trade Volumes Drives Logistics Demand

The substantial increase in China-LAC trade, especially the growing frequency of agricultural trade, has directly boosted cross-border logistics demand. For example, as China imports more agricultural products from Latin America—such as soybeans, beef, and corn—transport demand for bulk commodities has surged. This has prompted cross-border logistics enterprises to expand their businesses, increase transport frequencies, and optimize shipping routes to meet rising demand, driving the scaling-up of the logistics industry.

2. Infrastructure Development Improves Logistics Networks

Recent discussions between China and Brazil on the Brazil-South America Integrated Infrastructure Plan, including the "Two-Ocean Railway" project connecting South American countries to Peru’s Chancay Port, will significantly enhance logistics networks in South America once completed. Linking inland regions to ports via railways will improve cargo transportation efficiency and reduce logistics costs. The time for transporting goods from Latin American inland areas to ports will be drastically shortened, and transportation-related losses will decrease accordingly. Meanwhile, maritime routes between ports and China will become more efficient due to optimized inland transportation, elevating the overall operation level of the cross-border logistics chain.

3. Policy Coordination Optimizes the Logistics Environment

Closer agricultural policy communication between China and Latin American countries, against the backdrop of the U.S. abusing tariffs to disrupt global trade order, has made Latin American nations further recognize the necessity and importance of expanding into the Chinese market. Such policy-level communication and consensus facilitate the formulation of more favorable policies for cross-border logistics, such as simplifying customs procedures and optimizing inspection and quarantine processes. For instance, through information sharing and joint supervision, customs authorities on both sides can reduce cargo detention times and speed up customs clearance, enhancing the timeliness of cross-border logistics.

III. Development Trends in Cross-Border Logistics

1. Strengthening Intelligent and Digital Trends

With continuous technological advancement, intelligent and digital technologies will be more widely applied in China-LAC cross-border logistics. For example, IoT (Internet of Things) technology will enable real-time monitoring of cargo transportation, allowing logistics enterprises to track the location and status of goods in real time, adjust transportation plans promptly, and improve transport safety and reliability. Through big data analysis, logistics distribution routes can be optimized, transportation resources rationally allocated, and logistics costs reduced. In port loading and unloading, automated equipment will enhance efficiency, reducing labor costs and operational errors.

2. Green Logistics as a Development Direction

Against the global backdrop of increasing environmental awareness, China-LAC cross-border logistics will move toward green logistics. On one hand, logistics enterprises will adopt more eco-friendly transport tools, such as new energy vessels and electric trucks, to reduce carbon emissions during transportation. On the other hand, degradable and recyclable materials will be promoted in warehousing and packaging to minimize environmental impact. Additionally, optimizing logistics network layouts to reduce roundabout transportation and improve efficiency is a key pathway to achieving green logistics.

3. Pronounced Trend of Supply Chain Integration

In the future, China-LAC cross-border logistics will expand beyond mere cargo transportation toward supply chain integration. Logistics enterprises will establish closer partnerships with upstream and downstream entities—producers, suppliers, distributors, etc.—to achieve information sharing and collaborative operations. By integrating supply chain resources, they will provide one-stop logistics solutions, including warehousing, transportation, distribution, processing, packaging, and other value-added services, enhancing the competitiveness of the entire supply chain. For example, logistics firms can offer customized solutions based on customer needs, helping clients optimize inventory management, reduce operating costs, and improve market response speed.