People pose for a group photo at the opening ceremony of the China-Latin America sinology season in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province, on June 1, 2024. Photo: Screenshot from the livestream broadcast on the official WeChat account of the Chinese Culture Translation & Studies Support

China-Latin America sinology season was launched at the World Sinology Center of Beijing Language and Culture University in Qingdao, a coastal city in East China's Shandong Province, on Sunday. 

It was launched to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the vision of a community with a shared future between China and Latin America . A total of 15 envoys from 10 Latin American and Caribbean countries attended the event, opening this year's program.  

The vision of a community with a shared future between China and Latin America was proposed in July 2014 at the China-CELAC Forum when President Xi Jinping and the leaders of regional countries jointly announced the establishment of the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

The event is expected to further strengthen exchanges and dialogues between Chinese and Latin American civilizations. Meanwhile, the inauguration ceremony of the China-Latin America and the Caribbean Civilization Dialogue Center was held at the center. 

In the spirit of strengthening partnership and advancing South-South cooperation, China and the LAC countries have been stepping up efforts to develop their relations based on equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness, and tangible benefits for the people. 

To showcase the achievements made over the past decade, an art exhibition is staged at the World Sinology Center, featuring the profound heritage and beauty of Chinese and Latin American culture.

Envoys from 10 LAC countries, including Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico and Venezuela, toured the exhibition following the opening ceremony. 

In his keynote speech, Xu Baofeng, director of the World Sinology Center of Beijing Language and Culture University said that "we are witnessing the wonderful chapter of building the shared future of the China-LAC countries."

At least 60 organizations from LAC countries have been in active cooperation with the World Sinology Center, achieving fruitful results, Xu said. 

Before the ceremony, Ian J. Marshall, Ambassador of Grenada to China, said that football is a common language for human beings and expressed hope that football-related exchanges could be a bridge between China and LAC countries

The unveiling ceremony for the Youth Football International Exchange Center of Qingdao West Coast New Area was held during the event. 

Upon the invitation to China-Latin America sinology season, many embassies in China and experts in sinology sent congratulatory letters. 

In a congratulatory letter, the Embassy of Cuba in China has expressed its appreciation and support for the season. It has also expressed the gratitude to Beijing Language and Culture University and the World Sinology Center for their efforts in promoting people-to-people exchanges between China and Cuba as well as China and LAC countries over an extended period.

The Embassy of Peru in China sent in its sincere gratitude to the World Sinology Center of Beijing Language and Culture University for its outstanding contribution to building bridges of exchange and communication and promoting mutual understanding and friendly exchanges between the Chinese and Latin American peoples.

Former Argentine Ambassador to China, Gustavo Sabino Vaca Narvaja, wrote in his congratulatory letter that the World Sinology Center is a role model for enhancing mutual understanding and cooperation between China and LAC countries at the political, social, economic, educational and cultural levels through a number of activities. These activities have not only provided valuable opportunities to deepen the ties between China and Latin America, but also are an indispensable part of building a community with a shared future.

Giorgio Erick Sinedino de Araujo, a well-known Brazilian sinologist, translator and former diplomat, said that he expects the Sinology season to function as a platform to promote two-way exchanges between professionals from Latin America and China, and to further improve the level of Sinology in Latin America. 

Carlos Martin Perez Bañasco, a convener of the Uruguayan Council of Sinologists, said that with the support of the World Sinology Center, Uruguay has established its Sinology center, which not only strengthens domestic enthusiasm for Chinese studies, but also serves as a bridge to deepen the relationship between China and Uruguay.  

During the two-day trip, the envoy group will also conduct in-depth and detailed research on local leading enterprises and appreciate the charm of Qingdao's unique cultural and historical heritage.

Global Times