From Chile, in these turbulent times, we come to reaffirm our deep conviction that free and fair trade, in service of our peoples, is the path to progress and the development of nations. We come to reaffirm that multilateralism, dialogue — not unilateral impositions — is the way to confront the challenges facing humanity.

The initiative we collectively adopted in 2015 by establishing this CELAC-China Forum — then inaugurated by President Xi Jinping — points in the direction we believe is urgently needed today: cooperation, dialogue, joint action and concrete measures to strengthen multilateralism, and the diversification of our economies and trade partnerships.

And we want to meet with all peoples, not be forced to choose one over another.