**SOURCE: CGTN NEWS-** Xie Feng, Chinese ambassador to the U.S. and permanent observer to the Organization of American States (OAS), said on Wednesday that China and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, as part of the Global South, share a common aspiration for development and modernization.

Xie made the remarks at the Dialogue with Permanent Observers at the 55th Regular Session of the OAS General Assembly in St. John’s, the capital of Antigua and Barbuda.

During the past decade, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the LAC region six times. At the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum last month, Xi announced the launch of five programs, namely the Solidarity, Development, Civilization, Peace, and People-to-People Connectivity Programs, charting the course for the long-term development of China-LAC relations, Xie noted.

Faced with global challenges of rising protectionism and confrontation, Xie called on LAC countries to work with China to uphold equality, mutual respect, openness and people-centered development, setting an example for South-South cooperation.

Xie emphasized that China-LAC cooperation has no geopolitical calculations, does not seek sphere of influence, has no political strings, and does not pressure other countries to pick sides. It does not target any third party, and should be free from disruption by any third party.

China firmly supports the efforts of LAC countries to safeguard their sovereignty and independence and oppose power politics and external interference. It is hoped that the LAC countries will also continue to resolutely uphold the one-China principle and support China’s efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.