经贸务实合作是中拉关系的重要支柱。近年来，中拉贸易额节节攀升，2013年达到创纪录的2616亿美元。中国已经成为拉美第二大贸易伙伴国和第三大投资来源国，双方能源资源、基础设施建设、金融、农业、制造业、高技术等领域互利合作硕果累累，有力促进了各自国家经济发展和民生改善。

Practical cooperation in economy and trade is an important pillar for relations between the two sides. In recent years, two-way trade has continued to rise and reached a record high of US$261.6 billion in 2013. China has become the second largest trading partner and the third largest source of investment of Latin America and the Caribbean. Our cooperation in energy and resources, infrastructure, finance, agriculture, manufacturing and high-tech has produced rich results for mutual benefit, giving a strong boost to economic growth and improvement in people’ s wellbeing on both sides.

当前，中拉关系进一步发展面临重要机遇，拥有更好条件和更坚实基础。中国始终从战略高度和长远角度看待中拉关系，愿意同拉美和加勒比国家一道努力，推动平等互利、共同发展的中拉全面合作伙伴关系在更高水平向前发展，更好造福中拉双方人民和各国人民。

Now, we are presented with important opportunities and blessed with better conditions and a more solid basis to further grow our relations. China always views its relations with Latin American and the Caribbean states from a strategic height and long-term perspective, and stands ready to work together with them to advance the comprehensive and cooperative partnership featuring equality, mutual benefit and common development between the two sides to a higher level, so as to better benefit the people of China, Latin American and the Caribbean states, and the rest of the world.

建立中国－拉共体论坛，推动中拉整体合作，顺应区域和跨区域合作潮流，是中国同拉美和加勒比国家的共同愿望。

To establish a forum between China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) for stronger cooperation between China and the region is consistent with the trend of regional and interregional cooperation. It is also the shared aspiration of China and Latin American and the Caribbean states.

今年1月在古巴哈瓦那举行的拉共体第二届峰会通过《关于支持建立中国－拉共体论坛的特别声明》，为推进中拉整体合作、提高中拉关系水平奠定了重要基础。古巴为此发挥了重要作用，中方对此高度赞赏。

At the second CELAC Summit held in Havana, Cuba in January this year, a special statement on the establishment of a China-CELAC forum was adopted, which laid an important foundation for promoting the overall cooperation and uplifting the relationship between the two sides. Cuba has played an important role in this regard, which is highly appreciated by China.