From May 15 to 16, the 16th China Youth Forum on Latin American Studies and the Academic Symposium on "China-Latin America Relations Under the New Situation: Opportunities and Challenges" was held at Dongguan University of Technology in Guangdong Province. The forum was hosted by the Chinese Association of Latin American Studies and the Chinese Society for Latin American History Studies, organized by Dongguan University of Technology and the Latin American Research Institute of CLTTC, and co-organized by the International College and the School of Literature and Media of Dongguan University of Technology, among other units. More than 150 experts, scholars, and young researchers from over 40 universities, research institutes, and related institutions across the country gathered by the Songshan Lake to discuss new situations, opportunities, and pathways for China-LAC relations.

This year's forum featured six parallel sessions, with nearly 60 scholars presenting papers and reports. The topics covered China-LAC cooperation, the "Belt and Road" Initiative and the China-LAC community with a shared future, the Global South, major-power rivalries, China-LAC scientific and technological cooperation, international communication, regional governance, and many other areas. This edition had one of the largest numbers of parallel session themes and the most diverse range of discussions in the forum's history, fully demonstrating the broad research perspectives and vibrant academic energy of young scholars in Latin American studies in China.

Group photo

On the morning of May 15, the opening ceremony of the forum was held on the Songshan Lake Campus of Dongguan University of Technology, hosted by Chen Baiman, Director of the China-LAC Technology Transfer Center, Deputy Director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Department of DGUT, and Vice Dean of the International College of DGUT. Speeches were delivered by Chai Yu, Director of the Latin American Studies Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, and President of the Chinese Association of Latin American Studies; Ma Hongwei, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Dongguan University of Technology; and Dong Guohui, Director of the Center for Latin American Studies at Nankai University, Chairman of the Chinese Society for Latin American History Studies, and Vice President of the Chinese Association of Latin American Studies.

Chai Yu emphasized that Latin American studies in China should respond to the changing times, grounded in real issues, conducting genuine research and producing tangible results. Ma Hongwei introduced Dongguan University of Technology's foundation in scientific and technological cooperation with Latin America, stating that the university will continue to serve the country's overall diplomatic agenda and deepen cooperation with the region. Dong Guohui displayed precious photos from the first China Youth Forum on Latin American Studies, reviewed the academic tradition of the forum, and encouraged young scholars to carry forward the academic legacy and bravely shoulder the mission of the times. Chen Baiman noted that this year's forum focuses on important topics such as the Global South, the China-LAC community with a shared future, scientific and technological cooperation, cultural exchange and mutual learning, and development governance, combining practical concerns with theoretical exploration. As one of the organizers of the forum, the Latin American Research Institute of the China-LAC Technology Transfer Center is tasked with implementing the strategy of deepening China-LAC scientific and technological cooperation at both the national and local levels, and is committed to providing strategic, forward-looking, and practical intellectual support for national ministries, local governments, universities, research institutions, and enterprises.

Opening ceremony scene

 Academic experts attending the exchange

Keynote Speeches: Leading Experts Illuminate China-LAC Dynamics

During the keynote speech session of the forum, several experts delivered addresses, including Wang Yulin, former Director of the Latin American Department of the International Department of the Central Committee of the CPC and Vice President of the Chinese Association of Latin American Studies; Wu Hongying, Dean of the Institute of Regional and Country Studies at Hubei University; and Wang Ping, Executive Director of the Latin American Research Institute of CLTTC. The experts systematically reviewed the achievements in the development of China-LAC relations, deeply analyzed the opportunities and challenges under the new situation, and proposed countermeasures and recommendations that combine theoretical depth and practical value, providing important guidance for young scholars to broaden their research horizons and inspire new research ideas.

Experts delivering keynote speeches

Parallel Forums: Multi-Dimensional Discussions Addressing Real-World Concerns

On the afternoon of May 15, six parallel forums were held simultaneously. Participating scholars engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as "Tangluoism" and China-LAC cooperation, the "Belt and Road" Initiative and the China-LAC community with a shared future, China-LAC relations within the "Global South," and Latin American strategies amidst major-power rivalries. Each sub-forum featured thorough commentary and ample exchanges, with lively questioning from the audience. Young scholars, drawing on solid research foundations and active academic thinking, actively responded to real-world concerns, contributing to the sustained and deepening development of Latin American studies in China.

Scene of a parallel forum

Special Lecture: Strengthening Ideological Guidance and Consolidating the Theoretical Foundation

On the morning of May 16, a special lecture on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era was held. Wang Yulin, former Director of the Latin American Department of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Vice President of the Chinese Association of Latin American Studies, and Chen Zhigang, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission and Vice President of the Institute of Marxism of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, delivered special lectures respectively.

Focusing closely on Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on China-LAC relations, the lectures, in combination with the practice of China-LAC cooperation and the evolution of global governance, systematically elaborated on the essence of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era. They guided the participating scholars to conduct Latin American studies under the guidance of scientific theories to better serve the national strategic needs.

This forum is a representative youth academic brand event in the field of Latin American studies across China, and plays an active role in promoting the development of an academic community for Latin American studies in China, fostering young scholars and facilitating interdisciplinary exchanges. At the closing ceremony, Hu Qinhua, Member of the Party Committee and Vice President of Dongguan University of Technology, delivered a concluding speech. He stated that the forum was rich in content and in-depth in discussions, fully demonstrating the academic enthusiasm, innovative vitality and sense of responsibility of the young generation of Latin American researchers in China.

Scene of the Closing Ceremony

In the future, the Institute of Latin American Studies of the China-LAC Technology Transfer Center will continue to focus on science and technology policies, industrial development trends of Latin American countries and paths for China-LAC sci-tech cooperation. It will continuously pool resources and strengths from governments, universities, research institutions and enterprises, further expand new frontiers, achieve new outcomes and make new contributions in Latin American studies. The institute will promote the development of Latin American studies across China in broader fields, at deeper levels and higher standards, laying a solid foundation for building a closer, more efficient and sustainable China-LAC sci-tech partnership.