China deepens ties with Latin America through cultural, commercial and human connections

By Cui Xingyu, reporter for CGTN, special to Brasil 247 – Over the past decade, China and Latin America have built a dynamic partnership marked by deepening economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, and mutual understanding. From the launch of the Chancay Port in Peru — a key logistics hub linking the Asia-Pacific region — to the construction of Line 1 of the Bogotá Metro, Colombia’s first railway project, the shared ambition between both sides has materialized in concrete progress on the ground.

Beyond infrastructure, it is the lived experiences of individuals that truly strengthen this growing bond. Through their personal journeys, we see how two geographically distant regions can — and are — building meaningful connections.

A Brazilian scholar’s lifelong bond with China

For Evandro Menezes de Carvalho, head of the Brazil–China Research Group at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Rio de Janeiro, China is more than an object of academic study. His connection with the country began in 2013. Driven by a deep curiosity about different legal systems and a growing interest in Brazil’s largest trading partner, Carvalho arrived in Shanghai as a visiting researcher. His three-year stay provided him with a radically different perspective on China compared to the one often portrayed by Western media. What began as an academic inquiry soon became a deep engagement with Chinese society, culture, and governance.

Since then, Carvalho has returned to China frequently, with each visit enriching his understanding of the country. In 2023, he spent nearly a year at Peking University, deepening both his research and personal experiences. He currently serves as the Wutong Chair Professor at Beijing Language and Culture University and remains committed to fostering intercultural dialogue.

He also brings his insights into the classroom in Brazil, encouraging a new generation of students to explore and understand China beyond stereotypes. Outside academia, he translated Chinese President Xi Jinping’s book Up and Out of Poverty into Portuguese, making it accessible to Brazilian readers. He is also the author of China: Tradition and Modernity in the Country’s Governance, which offers local readers a detailed and accessible view of China. In 2023, Carvalho was awarded the Chinese Government Friendship Award — the highest honor given to foreign experts in China.

Evandro Menezes de Carvalho (left) receives the Chinese Government Friendship Award at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, February 4, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of Evandro Menezes de Carvalho

A Peruvian entrepreneur’s business success in China

In Yiwu, a bustling city in China’s eastern Zhejiang Province — known as the “world capital of small commodities” — Harold Mori, a young entrepreneur from Peru, is building a thriving export business.

Like many others, Mori’s journey began with the goal of studying abroad. Fresh out of university, he wanted to learn a new language and quickly chose China as his destination. In 2015, he arrived in Shanghai to study Chinese, later pursuing an MBA in the city.

Immersed in the country’s dynamic urban life, Mori became fascinated by the constantly evolving market. After finishing his studies, he made a bold decision: instead of returning to Peru, he stayed and launched a business in nearby Yiwu. There, he found a golden opportunity — an abundance of competitively priced products. From phone accessories and toys to kitchenware and small appliances, Mori’s business specializes in exporting popular Chinese goods to Peru.

Now, with the launch of Chancay Port — a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative — shipping time from China to Peru has been cut to around 20 days. For entrepreneurs like Mori, this means more than faster deliveries: it signals the opening of new opportunities and a future full of potential.

A Chinese doctor’s healing mission in Argentina

In the heart of Buenos Aires, Dr. Li Wenzhong has become a pioneer in building cultural bridges through the healing power of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). As the founder of a TCM clinic and pharmaceutical company, he introduced acupuncture, herbal therapies, and diagnostic techniques to patients far from his hometown of Beijing.

His journey to Argentina began in the 1980s, during the early period of China’s reform and opening-up. With the vision of sharing the benefits of TCM with the world, he moved to Buenos Aires and began practicing medicine in a completely different cultural setting.

At the time, head lice infestations were a common public health issue in Argentina, especially among school-age children. Conventional treatments were often ineffective and caused unwanted side effects. After months of research and clinical trials, Dr. Li developed a TCM-based treatment that proved safe and effective. The therapy quickly gained popularity and earned the trust of local families.

He later turned his focus to education and cultural exchange, becoming a visiting professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Buenos Aires, where he introduced TCM to a new generation of Argentine students. Between 2012 and 2015, with Dr. Li’s , Argentina’s Ministry of Health sent several delegations to China to explore partnerships in the field of TCM. These exchanges laid the foundation for broader public health cooperation between the two countries.

Geographically distant, united at heart

“True friends always feel close, no matter how far apart they may be.” Chinese President Xi Jinping once cited this line from an ancient Chinese poem to describe the relationship between China and Latin America and the Caribbean.

Since 2012, China has been the region’s second-largest trading partner, with cooperation extending beyond raw materials and manufactured goods to include green energy, digital innovation, and cross-border e-commerce.

Over the past decade, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has given new momentum to this partnership. To date, 22 countries in the region have signed cooperation agreements with China under the BRI, deepening integration and opening new paths for mutual development.

These real-life stories are powerful reminders that although oceans may separate continents, shared aspirations and enduring friendships can bring people even closer.

Cui Xingyu is a reporter for CGTN and host of the podcast “Footprints” – which explores personal stories behind China’s global connections.