On the afternoon of September 1, the Briefing on the 18th China-Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) Business Summit was convened in Beijing. Ren Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT); Zhang Min, Member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Henan Provincial Committee and Vice Governor of Henan; Martin Charles, Ambassador of Dominica to China and Dean of the diplomatic corps of LAC States in China, among others, attended and addressed the event.

Ren Hongbin pointed out that the 18th edition, jointly hosted by the CCPIT, the People’s Government of Henan Province, and the People’s Bank of China, is scheduled to be held in Zhengzhou, Henan from November 3 to 4, 2025. He welcomed active participation from representatives of LAC countries. With broad prospects for China-LAC economic and trade cooperation, he hoped both sides would work together to foster new drivers for mutually beneficial cooperation, expand new areas for collaboration regarding industrial and supply chains, explore new avenues for business engagement within multilateral frameworks, and jointly write a new chapter of high-level economic and trade cooperation between China and LAC countries.

Zhang Min introduced Henan’s rich historical and cultural heritage, geographical advantages, industrial system, and progress in opening up. She provided an overview of the preparations for the 18th Summit and, on behalf of Henan Province, extended an invitation to political, business, and academic leaders from China and LAC countries to attend the event in Zhengzhou.

Martin Charles highly praised the China–LAC relationship and the achievements in bilateral economic and trade cooperation. He noted that China’s development has created vast market opportunities for countries around the world, including those in LAC. He actively encouraged the business communities of LAC countries to leverage the Summit as a platform to strengthen economic and trade exchanges with China.

Prior to the event, Ren Hongbin met with ambassadors and representatives from over 20 LAC countries to China who attended the gathering.