Harmonious and syncretic China-LAC cooperation examplifies inter-civilizational exchanges. Photo: TUCHONG

Promoting the China-Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) inter-civilizational exchanges is the common task of both sides. Both Chinese civilization and LAC civilization have their respective uniqueness.

Uniqueness of LAC civilization 

The development experiences of the LAC region demonstrate that only by acknowledging the uniqueness of LAC civilization can they find the development path that aligns with national conditions and practical needs. 

Since the mid-20th century, local intellectuals have begun to reflect and have successively proposed ideas such as “dependency theory,” “liberation theology,” and “open regionalism,” which have been applied in practice, demonstrating the progressive nature of modern LAC civilization. 

Cuba steadfastly defends socialism, while countries such as Ecuador and Bolivia propose and practice the concept of “Buen Vivir” (Good life) based on ancient Indian thought. 

These endeavors represent significant attempts to seek alternative solutions to capitalism and also highlight the struggles for independence and self-improvement within LAC civilization.

Harmonious & syncretic cooperation

Chinese civilization has endured for over 5,000 years, consistently assimilating the essence of foreign civilizations while maintaining its distinct local characteristics. 

LAC civilization emerged as an indegenous entity following forcible interruptions and changes by external forces, integrating elements of European, Indian, and African civilizations to present itself in a “hybrid” form. 

Although Chinese and LAC civilizations are fundamentally different, this does not hinder their harmonious and syncretic (和合) cooperation.   

“He” (和) embodies connotations of “harmony” and “peace,” representing the highest realm of interactions between civilizations. Although the two civilizations have different development trajectories, both are striving to actively explore common ideas and beliefs. The concepts of harmony and community consciousness in Chinese civilization are highly attractive to LAC countries. 

Traditional Chinese ideas such as “while seeking to establish oneself, one strives also to establish others” resonate widely in the LAC region.  

“He” (合) embodies connotations of “convergence” and “cooperation.” Diverse civilizations can discover common ground in their diversity, achieving cooperation and mutual benefits. 

The idea of respecting nature and advocating for the harmonious coexistence of all beings in Indian culture shares similarities with the cosmological view of unity of heaven and humanity in Chinese civilization. 

At the beginning of the 20th century, José Carlos Mariátegui (1894-1930) keenly recognized the commonalities between Chinese civilization and LAC civilization. 

China proposed the vision of a global community of shared future, closely linking the progress and well-being of all civilizations together. 

Echoing resonance 

In the process of inter-civilizational exchanges, “harmony” and “cooperation” complement each other and are indispensable. “Harmony” is both the core and the goal, while “cooperation” is both a means and a manifestation. If “harmony” is seen as the mutual recognition of different civilizations at the intellectual level, then “cooperation” is the practical action to achieve this goal. Cooperation promotes harmony, and only with greater harmony can there be closer cooperation. 

The engagement between Chinese and LAC civilizations dates back to the 16th century. 

It was not until the 21st century that China-LAC relations entered a new era of comprehensive and rapid development, presenting a historical opportunity for in-depth exchanges and mutual learning between the two civilizations. 

The substantial complementarity of China-LAC trade has consistently achieved new breakthroughs in China-LAC economic and trade cooperation. Meanwhile, with the deepening of mutual understanding and trust between the two civilizations, cooperation has gradually expanded beyond the realms of economy and trade, encompassing political, cultural, social and other areas. 

This has fostered a virtuous cycle of promoting harmony through cooperation and seeking cooperation through harmonious coexistence.

The vision of a global community of shared future, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the China International Import Expo have all garnered extensive resonance from the LAC region.

Inter-civilizational exchanges 

In the pursuit of promoting harmony through cooperation and seeking cooperation through harmonious coexistence, the depth and richness of inter-civilizational exchanges has evolved, transforming from initial exchanges of goods and communication of fine traditional and inter-cultural thought, to mutual learning on a crucial series of topics such as governance experience, development concepts and capacity building. 

China and LAC countries are developing countries, moving in the same direction on the development path and sharing common desires and aspirations. 

In 2021, China proposed the Global Development Initiative, emphasizing a people-centered development philosophy, which coincides with the development goals pursued by LAC countires in recent years, such as shared development achievements for all and the promotion of social fairness and justice.

Lin Hua is an associate research fellow from the Institute of Latin American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Edited by ZHAO YUAN