A new chapter in business relations with Latin American and Caribbean nations has opened with formation of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, conference delegates and officials were advised Oct 12.

Thirty officials from Latin American-Caribbean (LAC) embassies and consulate generals in China and representatives from LAC enterprises in Guangdong met with 80 area delegates at the Guangdong-Latin America Exchange & Cooperation Dialogue and Guangdong International Business Opportunities Promotion Conference in Hengqin. They were assured of new opportunities for development in the Greater Bay Area and the continuous deepening of Guangdong-Latin America ties.

Dialogue section [Photo courtesy WeChat account: ws07562125209]

Zhuhai deputy mayor Guo Lishi noted, for instance, that the In-Depth Cooperation Zone would enlarge Zhuhai's city scale, propel local high-quality industrial development, become an emerging gateway hub in China's new opening-up pattern, and provide more opportunities for domestic and foreign business people.

Zhuhai, Guo added, will take advantage of close ties between Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries and continue to deepen cooperation with the Latin American region.

Speeches were delivered by Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs LAC Counselor Chen Ping, Vice Chairman Fan Xinlin of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Guangdong Committee, Deputy Director Fu Yongge of the Cooperation Zone Executive Committee, and Uruguay Ambassador to China Fernando Lugris. The mayor of Zhuhai sister city Atlantida, Uruguay sent a video message.

Latin American diplomatic envoys were briefed on the development of the Cooperation Zone and the state of Guangdong-Macao projects. They toured Hengqin Exhibition Hall and Traditional Chinese Medicine Science & Technology Industrial Park of Cooperation Between Guangdong & Macao.

The city is the first stop on a list of 2021 Guangdong-Latin America exchange activities. The Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office and CCPIT Guangdong Committee organized the promotional conference with support from the Zhuhai Foreign Affairs Office, CCPIT Zhuhai Sub-Council, and Guangzhou Office of the Zhuhai Municipal People's Government.