各位远道而来的好朋友：

My dear friends from afar,

很高兴和大家在此齐聚一堂，共同庆贺中拉论坛启动。可能一些人会有疑问，为什么中国要和地理距离那么远的拉丁美洲建立论坛。我想借用今天下午玻利维亚外长发言时说的话：“人类都是兄弟姐妹，如果从宇宙的角度看，我们之间的距离其实并不遥远，我们是命运相连的一家人”。

I am happy that we gather here to celebrate the launch of the China-CELAC Forum. Some people may ask why China wants to set up a forum with Latin American and Caribbean countries, which are so far away. Let me answer this question by quoting what the Bolivian foreign minister said this afternoon: “All human beings are brothers and sisters. From the perspective of the universe, we are actually not so far away from one another. We belong to the same family, and our destinies are entwined.”

因为我们是兄弟姐妹，所以需要相互关爱。

We care about each other because we are brothers and sisters.

因为我们都是发展中国家，所以需要相互帮助。我们开展的是南南合作，是朋友间的合作，遵循的是平等互利，坚持的是合作共赢，寻求的是共同发展。

We help each other because we are all developing countries. Our cooperation is South-South cooperation and cooperation between friends. We abide by the principles of equality and mutual benefit and pursue win-win cooperation and common development.

因为我们都是国际社会的平等一员，所以需要相互支持。毕竟这个世界还存在不公平、不合理的地方，需要我们一起发出共同声音，发挥一致作用，努力使世界更加和谐、更加和平。

As equal members of the international community, we need to support each other. In many ways, our world is still not fair or reasonable. We need to speak with one voice and act in concert to make it a more harmonious and peaceful place.

中国与拉美各国有着共同的理念、共同的追求。我们完全可以团结在一起，更好地拓展和维护我们的共同利益。

China and the countries you represent share many common ideals and pursuits. We should forge greater solidarity to advance and uphold our common interests.