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Right Time for China-Latin American Cooperation


Notes on CAFIU Delegation’s Visit to Cuba and Argentina Zhang Yaowu Since the visit of President Xi Jinping to four Latin American countries in July 2014, Cuba and Argentina have come into Chinese people’s sight more frequently. With comprehensive and friendly relations between China and Cuba further developed and deepened, and China-Argentina ties were upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the cooperation between China and the two countries has reached a new height. Therefore, bilateral people-to-people friendly exchanges and cooperation are also embracing a brighter prospect. It was against this background that CAFIU sent a 6-member delegation headed by Deputy Secretary-General Zheng Yao to visit the above-mentioned two counties from 16 to 24, March. And I had the honor to join the delegation. As soon as the delegation stepped onto the land of Cuba, we were received by Mr. Mario, a political officer from the Organization of Solidarity with the People of Asia, Africa and Latin America (OSPAAAL). Mr. Mario is in his fifties, slim, keen-witted, gentle, quiet and friendly. He was invited by CAFIU to participate in a multilateral activity-Understanding and Cooperation Dialogue in 2013 and visited places including Beijing, Nanchang and Jindezhen in 10 days. The trip gave him deep feelings for China. He said, the economic development, the warmth and hospitality of the Chinese people had far exceeded his expectation and left him “very very deep impression”. Mme. Carlos-the Secretary General of OSPAAAL, his colleagues and him were all looking forward to receiving the CAFIU delegation. They had done a lot of preparatory work and made important contribution to the success of our visit. In our short 2-day stay in Cuba, the delegation conducted in-depth and friendly exchanges with OSPAAAL, Cuban Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Center for West-hemisphere and American Studies of the University of Havana, visited the Confucius Institute at the University of Havana and a Credit Service Cooperative in Lisa District of Havana city. Frankly speaking, I knew little about Cuba except its sugar, cigar, rum and Castro brothers before I visited the country. Of course, I also knew Cuba is the only socialist country in the west hemisphere and the first Latin American country to establish diplomatic ties with New China. The sweetness and aroma of Cuban sugar I tasted when I was young is still fresh in my memory. Just like seeds of friendship between our two peoples, the sugar was deeply planted in my generation’s mind. But it is after this visit that my understanding of and respect for Cuba greatly increased. Since 1960s, the U.S. has imposed economic, trade and financial blockade on Cuba, which landed the new socialist state in protracted economic plight. But the political party, government and people of Cuba have never yielded to external pressure. Led by the Castro brothers, the country adheres to the path of socialism and the leadership of the Communist Party. It adopts a planned economic system to ensure economic development and maintain people’s living standard, and achieves remarkable success in education, healthcare, housing and light industry. The country is shining with unique splendor of a socialist state. In 1993, the 4th Congress of Cuban Communist Party (PCC) decided to implement reform by prioritizing economic development with the view to improving people’s life and consolidating the party’s leadership. In 2010, the PCC 6th Congress resolved to implement a renewal process of economic and social model, which has shown initial effects in economic and social fields. Market economy has developed, material supply enriched, and the rationing system of daily necessities is being gradually abolished. People have witnessed evident improvement in their living standard. In order to give us the first-hand information of local people’s life, the Cuban side arranged our delegation to visit a Credit Service Cooperative in Lisa District of Havana city. Located 20km away from Havana city, the cooperative is a village-level organization affiliated to National Association of Small Farmers (ANAP). Under a huge awning with piles of vegetables and fruits produced by local farmers, we conversed with over 20 leaders of local farmer associations and farmer representatives. We were surrounded with lush plants and sweet smell of mellow fruits. Herds of cattle and sheep grazed nearby. All constituted a picture full of vigor and vitality. In a joyful and relaxed atmosphere, farmers told us about their work and life. We learned that basic means of livelihood for Cuban farmers are rationed, and the state distributes all daily necessities such as rice, oil, soybeans, eggs, sugar, milk and soap and provides farmers with big farm equipment such as tractors. The farmers need to hand over 90% of their production to the government, while the rest can be consumed by themselves or sold in the market. Because of their engagement in plantation and animal husbandry, farmers enjoy higher income and living standard than urban residents. Therefore, the people’s living cost is modest, and their basic life, education and healthcare are guaranteed despite the low economic development level around the country. By properly feeding and housing its people, the Party and Government in Cuba are able to maintain high prestige among the general public. The charming tropical scenery in Havana, the colorful fleet of vintage cars, the majestic Jose Marti Monument, the world cultural heritage-the old Havana, and Morro-La Cabana Castle which fires a canon when dusk falls, all of them are unique and beautiful landscape in this city and country. Mario told us that because of good social order, clean and picturesque natural environment, Cuba attracted increasing tourists from all over the world, especially from Europe and China. In 2014, 3 million tourists visited Cuba, which not only promoted development and progress of sectors such as transport and tourism, but also enabled the country to break free of the American blockade to have more contacts with the outside world, thus embarking on the path of reform and opening-up more resolutely. What I think is particularly admirable is that Cuban people are peaceful and friendly although they have been under constant external pressure and meager living conditions. Most of the people we came into touch were optimistic, open, warm, cultivated, polite and rule-abiding. Different ethnic groups co-exist in peace. There is virtually no gap between the city and countryside, and the society is in good order. When we stood beside the street of Havana, the sight of brand-new China-made Geely and Chery Cars as well as Zhongtong buses passing in a row reminded us of the cooperation agreements reached between the Chinese and Cuban leaders in July last year. We cannot help but have new expectation for the prospect of Cuba as our good friend, comrade and brother, and for people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. With 2.78 million km2 of territory and 40 million people, Argentina deserves the status as a major country in South America. The country boasts vast and fertile Pampas Steppe, rich mineral and hydropower resources, as well as developed agriculture, animal husbandry, and wine-making industry, hence the reputation—the “granary”, “meat basket” and “wine cellar” of the world. As China’s important trade partner in South America, Argentina has reached a large number of cooperation intentions in agriculture, mining and infrastructure construction with China since the bi-lateral relationship as upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership in July last year. The win-win and mutually beneficial exchanges and cooperation between the two countries have been further consolidated. Invited by the Contemporary Foundation of Argentina, we came to the country with the aim of carrying out and strengthening people-to-people exchanges and cooperation so as to solidify the foundation of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership in a non-governmental perspective. According to the arrangement of the Argentine side, we conducted friendly discussion over topics including the status quo and prospect of China-Argentina relations, development and cooperation of NGOs between both countries with the leadership and important members of the Contemporary Foundation, members of Argentina branch of Latin America Research Institute on Chinese Politics and Economy, NGO experts and some students from Catholic University of Argentina. Consensus were reached with some of the organizations on issues concerning future cooperation. We saw in our visit the building of China Industrial and Commercial Bank towering over La Plata River, China-made trains shuttling between cities and Buenos Aires dotted with super markets run by overseas Chinese. We learned an increasing number of Chinese enterprises were settling down in Argentina. We felt tangible benefits brought to peoples of both countries by our cooperation and the sincere wish of NGOs and think tanks to develop bi-lateral relations. At the same time, we also felt the heavy responsibility on our shoulders—the people-to-people relations must closely follow the footsteps of China-Argentina political relations, economic and trade cooperation, as agreed by leaders of our two countries. Scholars from the Contemporary Foundation and Argentina branch of Latin American Research Institute on Chinese Politics and Economy told us that the Argentine civil society lacks correct and comprehensive understanding about China due to a series of factors such as language barrier, geographical distance, misleading information from the West, media publicity and party politics. Some find it difficult to accept the “sudden and massive inflow” of the Chinese people, capital and projects, while some even call the Chinese-nvested cooperation projects “economic invasion”, which lead to prejudice and misunderstanding about China among some Argentine people. However, with friendly relations and trade between China and Argentina entering a new stage, the development momentum is unstoppable. In recent years, the Chinese elements have become more attractive to Argentina. The general public, especially the young generation is increasingly interested in China and eager to get more comprehensive and accurate information. The government and economic circle in Argentina look forward to seizing the opportunities created by the rise of Chinese economy, strengthening exchanges and pragmatic cooperation with China to promote their economic development and industrial upgrading. China and Argentina are traditional friends. People of both countries think favorably of our bilateral relations. Many of us in the delegation are fans of Argentina soccer team and tango. This journey made us fall in love with the country’s aromatic red wine and the unique local tea mate. Before the end of our visit, we were invited to the home of a member of the Contemporary Foundation. Sipping the bitter and fragrant mate, we talked with the family members in a warm and friendly atmosphere. I could feel at this moment the integration and compatibility between different civilizations and cultures, and the new development impetus released from the harmonious interaction between peoples of the two countries. I believe the people-to-people cooperation between the two emerging markets will bear abundant fruits, and our bilateral friendship will serve as another model for developing countries, which will benefit our two peoples in a more in-depth and extensive manner.