In a significant move to deepen ties with Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), China has announced a sweeping set of initiatives designed to enhance cooperation, connectivity, and mutual development across the region. Among the headline developments is a new visa-free policy for five LAC countries, alongside a broad package of scholarships, training opportunities and financial support programs.
The announcements came during the opening of the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing on May 13, 2025. Chinese President Xi Jinping, delivering a keynote address, laid out an ambitious five-pronged cooperation framework aimed at fostering solidarity, development, cultural exchange, security, and people-to-people connectivity.
At the heart of the People-to-People Connectivity Program is a new visa-free policy for five LAC nations, a move President Xi said would be expanded in the future to include more countries in the region. While the names of the initial five countries were not disclosed at the time of the announcement, the policy signals China’s intent to make travel and exchange with the Caribbean and Latin America more accessible and fluid.
In addition, China committed to offering 3,500 government scholarships and 10,000 training opportunities over the next three years to CELAC member states. The plan also includes:
500 International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarships
1,000 fully-funded placements under the Chinese Bridge Program
300 training opportunities for poverty reduction professionals
300 “small and beautiful” livelihood projects
Support for developing Chinese language education systems
These initiatives aim to boost human capital development in the Caribbean and Latin America while strengthening cultural ties and language exchange.
The visa and education commitments are part of a broader strategic plan. President Xi outlined five core programs:
Solidarity Program: Reinforces mutual support on major national interests and aims to protect international law and UN-centered governance.
Development Program: Supports shared implementation of the Global Development Initiative, with China pledging to import more quality products from LAC nations and encourage Chinese investment. Infrastructure, trade stability, and Belt and Road cooperation were key focal points.
Civilization Program: Promotes civilizational exchange rooted in equality, inclusiveness, and shared values. This includes launching a conference on China-LAC inter-civilizational dialogue.
Peace Program: Proposes joint implementation of the Global Security Initiative, focusing on disaster response, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and efforts to combat organized crime.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaking at the Forum’s plenary session, emphasized that the past decade has seen a deepening of strategic mutual trust between China and LAC countries. He noted that over 80 percent of a $35 billion Chinese financing package for the region has already been disbursed, and the $20 billion infrastructure loan goal has been surpassed.
China now plans to roll out a RMB66 billion (approximately US$9.1 billion) credit line for further development projects in Latin America, alongside expanded assistance in disaster prevention and mitigation.
For Caribbean countries, the expanded visa-free travel and educational support represent practical steps toward stronger bilateral engagement with China. These developments are particularly significant in areas such as youth development, skills training and disaster resilience, key priorities for many small island developing states.
As China continues to position itself as a champion of South-South cooperation, Caribbean nations are expected to play a more visible role in shaping this evolving global dynamic. One rooted in shared interests, mutual benefit, and respect.
