China's Policy Paper on Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the third of its kind in less than two decades, was issued on Wednesday.

The Chinese government released the first such document in November 2008 and the second in November 2016.

The latest policy paper said China stands ready to join hands with Latin America and the Caribbean to promote the five programs on solidarity, development, civilization, peace and people-to-people connectivity to advance shared development and revitalization, and write a new chapter in building a China-LAC community with a shared future.

The Chinese government released China's third policy paper on LAC to draw experience, plan the future, elaborate China's policy on LAC, and take the relations and cooperation between the two sides in various fields to a new level.

The policy paper consists of three parts, namely "Latin America and the Caribbean: A Land Full of Vibrancy and Hope," "The Flourishing Relations Between China and Latin America and the Caribbean" and "Joining Hands to Promote the Five Programs for Building a China-LAC Community with a Shared Future."

Cai Wei, China's assistant minister of foreign affairs, said at the launch ceremony that this policy paper reviews the vibrant growth of China-LAC relations and lays out China's policy proposals going forward for exchanges and cooperation in over 40 areas. It also responds actively to LAC countries' needs and concerns in terms of trade, investment, finance, sci-tech, innovation, climate change and more.

"This shows the great importance China attaches to this relationship and its deep commitment to pursuing common development with LAC countries," Cai said, adding that this policy paper will serve as a road map and guidebook for China-LAC relations in the new era.

Martin Charles, dean of diplomatic corps of LAC countries in China and ambassador of Dominica to China, said the implementation of the policy paper will be fundamental in continuing the advancement of a China-LAC community with a shared future, and will have direct impacts on cooperation in infrastructure construction, education, culture, agriculture and other areas.  

Full text: China's Policy Paper on Latin America and the Caribbean