China and Latin America: Building a Brighter Future Together! 🌎🤝
Hey there! Did you know that China and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are becoming great friends and working together to build amazing things? Let’s dive into this exciting news! 🚀
A New Library Shines Bright 📚✨
In the heart of San Salvador, the capital city of El Salvador, a brand-new library has opened its doors! This isn’t just any library—it’s the National Library of El Salvador, a super cool project helped by China. Since it opened in late 2023, it’s become a modern landmark that everyone is talking about!
This gigantic library is as big as about 70 basketball courts 🏀🏀🏀—that’s 24,000 square meters! With over 360,000 books, it’s open all day and night, so people can read and learn anytime they want. It also has fun activities like art shows, cultural performances, and even places for students to learn and explore.
Friends Helping Friends 🤗
The library is just one of over 200 projects that China has supported in Latin American and Caribbean countries in the past few years. On Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping talked about these awesome projects during a special meeting in Beijing with leaders from these countries.
President Xi said that these projects have helped create nearly one million jobs for local people! That’s a lot of opportunities for families and communities to grow and thrive.
Working Together for a Better World 🌍✨
China and the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (let’s call them LAC countries) are working together like a big team. They’ve been trading goods and helping each other out. Since 2012, China has been the second-largest trading partner for LAC countries and the number one partner for places like Chile, Brazil, and Peru.
They’ve signed special agreements called free trade agreements, which make it easier to buy and sell things between countries. So far, five LAC countries have these agreements with China: Peru, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Nicaragua.
Can you imagine how much they trade? By 2024, the trade between China and LAC countries reached $500 billion! That’s like having 500,000 million-dollar bills! 💰
Building Bridges and Roads 🏗️🚢
One of the coolest projects is the Chancay Port in Peru. It’s the first smart and green port in South America! This port helps ships travel faster across the Pacific Ocean, reducing the time by almost one-third. It also lowers the cost of moving things by 20% and has created over 8,000 jobs!
Another amazing project is the Jamaica North-South Highway, which makes traveling easier and faster for people in Jamaica.
Caring for Each Other ❤️
China has also been sending medical teams to Caribbean countries since 1993 to help take care of people and improve healthcare. They’ve sent 38 teams so far!
Learning and Growing Together 🎓🌱
President Xi announced that China will provide $9.2 billion to help LAC countries develop even more. That’s a lot of money to build schools, hospitals, and other important things!
Over the next three years, China will offer:
- 3,500 scholarships for students to study in China 🎓
- 10,000 training opportunities to learn new skills 🤖
- 500 scholarships for learning the Chinese language 🈴
- 300 training spots for learning how to reduce poverty 🌾
Plus, China is making it easier for people from five LAC countries to visit by offering visa-free travel! That means more people can visit China and make new friends. 🎉
A Bright Future Ahead 🌞
People in Latin America are excited about working with China. A recent survey showed that over 80% of them think China’s development is a great example to learn from.
President Xi said that China and LAC countries should keep being good friends and work together to make the world a better place. By joining hands, they can achieve their dreams and create a happy future for everyone! 🌈
So, isn’t it awesome how countries can come together to help each other out? Maybe one day, you’ll be part of exciting projects that make the world a better place too! 😊
Reference(s):
China and CELAC usher in new chapter of South-South cooperation
cgtn.com
