During the recent decade, as China and Latin America have been pushing forward their relationship, China has become an important factor in economic development of Latin America. Trade volumes are rising fast, and China has remarkably increased direct investment, drawing incredible attention. However, the high-profile reports hide the truth. The reality is often more complicated. China's economic expansion in these areas has indeed been fruitful, but the truth behind it is that the investment structure and the drive for sustainable development are not good enough.

"Benefitting each other and achieve win-win," and "developing together" are not just figments of the imagination but realistic needs. Based on this goal and principle, the China-CELAC Forum which was held on Jan. 8-9 in Beijing may offer more solutions to current problems and create more possibilities and opportunities, based on mutual trust, consensus and cooperation. CELAC stands for the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

When I talked with local academics, entrepreneurs and journalists during my Latin American trips, "China" came up frequently. They did not say that China has become a world power or poses threats to anyone. They say "China has come here." The presence is too big to ignore.

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