2023 China-CELAC Digital Technology Cooperation Forum Convened：

Exploration of the Digital Cooperation “Blue Ocean” and Co-Creation of the “Digital Silk Road”

On September 4， the 2023 China-CELAC Digital Technology Cooperation Forum was held in Chongqing. With the Theme of “Seizing New Opportunities from the Digital Technology， Stimulating New Momentum for China-CELAC Cooperation”， the Forum， as one of the professional forums held by Smart China Expo 2023， aims to build consensus among all parties， jointly explore the “blue ocean” of digital technology cooperation， continuously deepen the cooperation between China and CELAC in digital technology， and work together to build the “Digital Silk Road”.

This forum brought together more than 160 participants， including representatives from relevant departments and embassies in China from 16 countries in Latin America and Caribbean regions， such as Argentina， Uruguay， the Bahamas， and El Salvador. Other attendees included journalists， representatives from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences， and well-known Chinese enterprises. The participants actively engaged in sharing ideas and providing suggestions on various topics， including digital infrastructure development， digital technology and its applications， nurturing digital technology talent， and international cooperation and exchange. They also collaboratively explored the growth potential of emerging sectors like the digital economy， aiming to promote mutually beneficial and win-win digital economic and trade cooperation. The Forum released the China-CELAC Digital Technology Cooperation Forum Chongqing Initiative.

The forum is hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China （MIIT） and the Chongqing Municipal Government. The organizers include the Foreign Affairs Office of the Chongqing Municipal Government， the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Economy and Information Technology， the Chongqing Yuzhong District Government， and the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology （CAICT）. The co-organizer is the Chongqing Institute of Telecommunications （West Institute of CAICT）.

Consensus Reached in Response to New Digital Trends Through Scientific and Technological Collaboration

New technologies and innovative business formats， such as digital technology and artificial intelligence， have become crucial drivers for all economies to achieve economic and social development. They also present favorable opportunities for the “Global South”， including China and Latin America and Caribbean regions， to seize and pursue common development.

Zhang Yunming， Vice Minister of the MIIT， stated in his speech that China’s digital economy has gained significant momentum and has become a powerful catalyst for transforming its development mode， optimizing its development structure， driving its development impetus， and enhancing its development quality. In 2022， China’s digital economy exceeded RMB50 trillion， ranking second in the world.

Mr. Zhang proposed leveraging the Belt and Road Initiative （BRI） to enhance the complementarity of technological and industrial advantages between China and CELAC countries at an accelerated pace. This includes promoting the joint development and sharing of information resources in new infrastructure projects， advancing the application of digital technology in manufacturing， education， healthcare， agriculture， and other sectors， fostering the development of digital technology talent， and expanding the scope and depth of China-CELAC digital technological cooperation through initiatives like joint laboratory establishment.

Daniel Filmus， Minister of Science， Technology， and Innovation of Argentina， expressed the importance of cooperation with China， stating， “For Argentina， cooperation with China is crucial， and we hope for more harmonious collaboration with China.” He also mentioned that Argentina is formulating an innovation strategy to promote the development of national science and technology. Filmus hopes to foster digital technological cooperation between Argentina and other countries， applying scientific and technological advancements in agriculture， healthcare， education， manufacturing， and other sectors. The goal is to empower agricultural and animal husbandry industries and enhance the added value of relevant products.

“Through this forum， we anticipate significant progress in key areas of cooperation such as infrastructure， digital technology， digital solutions， digital transformation， cybersecurity， and digital talent”， said Wayde Watson， Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Bahamas， in his speech. He expressed his desire to seize digital development opportunities through cooperation， innovation， and experience sharing.

Wayde Watson acknowledged Chongqing as a technology innovation hub and expressed the Bahamas’ interest in establishing its own ecological technology system， drawing inspiration from Chongqing’s experience.

Thriving Digital Technology Cooperation Between China and CELAC

The digital economy has emerged as a primary driver of China’s economic growth and a key area for promoting international cooperation. China has consistently supported the development of all countries in the digital realm and opposed “technology blockade”， digital iron curtain， and technological hegemony.

Qiu Xiaoqi， Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Latin American Affairs， emphasized the close collaboration between China and CELAC on core interests and major concerns. In their efforts to counter hegemony and interference， and safeguard the common development rights and interests of the “Global South”， China and CELAC have continuously strengthened their foundation of political mutual trust.

Currently， China’s cloud technology is providing secure， efficient， and cost-effective data storage services to enterprises in Brazil and other countries. The Connected Universal Experiences Labs employ digital simulation technology to support the construction of Buenaventura Port. Additionally， China’s scientific research team has offered data support for ecological environment protection projects in Chile and Ecuador.

Daniel Filmus stated that Argentina has reached a long-term cooperation consensus with relevant departments in China.

Additionally， Uruguay’s high-quality agricultural products， such as beef and dairy products， have been introduced to tens of millions of Chinese consumers through China’s e-commerce platforms.

Omar Paganini， Uruguay’s Minister of Industry， Energy and Mining， emphasized that “China is the top destination for Uruguay’s agricultural exports”. He expressed the desire to enhance cooperation with China in energy conservation and emission reduction， aiming to further reduce carbon dioxide emissions and establish a stronger foundation for future development.

It is reported that 22 CELAC countries have signed Belt and Road Initiative （BRI） cooperation agreements with China. Furthermore， significant progress has been made in free trade negotiations or upgrades between China and countries such as Ecuador， Nicaragua， Honduras， and Peru. In 2022， the trade volume between China and CELAC reached nearly USD500 billion， indicating the closer economic and trade cooperation between China and CELAC.

Dedication to Enhancing the Scope and Intensity of Digital Technology Collaboration

Digital technology cooperation offers vast development opportunities and can involve the participation of all countries worldwide. It contributes to promoting technological and institutional innovation， bridging the global digital divide， and fostering balanced development among nations.

Guo Cunhai， Director of the Department of Social and Cultural Studies and Director of the Center for Argentine Studies at the Institute of Latin American Studies， Chinese Academy of Social Sciences， highlighted the practical achievements of the “Digital Silk Road” in supporting digital infrastructure construction in 22 CELAC countries participating in the BRI. It has also facilitated innovative trade development and enhanced international cooperation in science and technology. Mr. Guo emphasized that in the next decade， joint construction of the “Digital Silk Road” between China and CELAC will unlock new development potential and create fresh opportunities for both sides.

Using examples such as infrastructure construction， sharing economy models， and e-commerce， Mr. Guo pointed out that the Latin America and Caribbean regions are increasingly eager to strengthen digital technology cooperation with China. Recognizing the positive spillover effects of the digital economy in enhancing production efficiency， reducing supply costs， promoting demand structure upgrades， and improving innovation capacity， Mr. Guo urged China and CELAC to seize this opportunity to deepen collaboration and synergy among relevant departments. This will address the mutual needs of both sides for structural reform in the current stage.

“Efforts must be made to ensure inclusive development in our digitalization，” stated Daniel Méndez， Secretary of Innovation of El Salvador. He mentioned that El Salvador has devised specific projects with medium- and long-term plans in healthcare， education， and other sectors to enhance the digitalization level of society. Méndez expressed his hope for increased learning and exchanges between El Salvador and other countries to achieve a shared vision of a better life.

Cristina Akemi Shimoda Uechi， Acting Director of the Department of Science， Technology and Digital Innovation of Brazil’s Ministry of Science， Technology and Innovation， expressed the desire to create a more prosperous and Inclusive future for all by strengthening digital technology cooperation.

Esteban Zottele， a researcher at the China-Veracruz Studies Center at the University of Veracruz in Mexico， highlighted the relatively low management level and high bankruptcy rate of micro， small， and medium enterprises （MSMEs） in the Latin America and Caribbean regions. He emphasized the need to assist these MSMEs through internationalization， digital means， and e-commerce development. Zottele believes that the digital wave presents new opportunities for traditional trade， enabling countries to engage in “global buying and selling”.

He also emphasized， “Today， China is the second largest trading partner in Latin America and the Caribbean”. Zottele expressed a strong desire to further promote economic and trade exchanges and connectivity between China and the Caribbean， as well as relevant cooperation in the digital field.

Source/Chongqing Daily

Photo/The Host

9月4日，2023中國—拉美和加勒比國家數(shù)字技術(shù)合作論壇在渝舉行。作為2023年智博會舉辦的專業(yè)論壇之一，論壇以“把握數(shù)字技術(shù)新機遇，激發(fā)中拉合作新動能”為主題，旨在凝聚各方共識，共同探索數(shù)字技術(shù)合作“藍?！?，持續(xù)深化中拉數(shù)字技術(shù)合作，共建“數(shù)字絲綢之路”。

來自阿根廷、烏拉圭、巴哈馬、薩爾瓦多等16個拉美和加勒比國家有關(guān)部門、駐華使館、記者和中國社會科學(xué)院、部分國內(nèi)知名企業(yè)等160余人齊聚重慶，圍繞數(shù)字基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施建設(shè)、數(shù)字技術(shù)與應(yīng)用、數(shù)字技術(shù)人才培養(yǎng)及國際合作交流等多個議題積極建言獻策，合力探索挖掘數(shù)字經(jīng)濟等新興領(lǐng)域增長潛力，推動互利共贏的數(shù)字經(jīng)貿(mào)合作。論壇發(fā)布了“中國—拉美和加勒比國家數(shù)字技術(shù)合作論壇重慶倡議”。

論壇由工信部、市政府主辦，市政府外辦、市經(jīng)信委、渝中區(qū)政府、中國信息通信研究院承辦，重慶信息通信研究院協(xié)辦。

以科技合作應(yīng)對數(shù)字化新趨勢已成共識

當下，以數(shù)字技術(shù)、人工智能為代表的新技術(shù)、新業(yè)態(tài)成為各國實現(xiàn)經(jīng)濟社會發(fā)展的強大支撐，也為包括中國同拉美和加勒比國家在內(nèi)的“全球南方”國家搶抓機遇、共謀發(fā)展創(chuàng)造了有利契機。

工業(yè)和信息化部副部長張云明在致辭中表示，我國數(shù)字經(jīng)濟發(fā)展勢頭強勁，成為轉(zhuǎn)變發(fā)展方式、優(yōu)化發(fā)展結(jié)構(gòu)、轉(zhuǎn)換發(fā)展動力、提升發(fā)展質(zhì)量的強大引擎。2022年，我國數(shù)字經(jīng)濟規(guī)模突破50萬億元，總量居世界第二。

他建議，以共建“一帶一路”為契機，加快中拉技術(shù)和產(chǎn)業(yè)優(yōu)勢互補，持續(xù)推動新型基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施建設(shè)和信息資源共建共享，共同推動數(shù)字技術(shù)在制造、教育、醫(yī)療、農(nóng)業(yè)等領(lǐng)域應(yīng)用，深化數(shù)字化技術(shù)人才培養(yǎng)，通過共同打造實驗室等多種方式，拓展中拉數(shù)字技術(shù)合作廣度、深度。

“對阿根廷來說，與中國的合作是至關(guān)重要的，我們希望和中國開展更多合作?！卑⒏⒖萍紕?chuàng)新部部長丹尼爾·菲爾穆斯表示，阿根廷正在制定促進國家科技發(fā)展的創(chuàng)新戰(zhàn)略，希望促進阿根廷與其他國家的數(shù)字化技術(shù)合作，進一步把科學(xué)技術(shù)發(fā)展應(yīng)用于農(nóng)業(yè)、醫(yī)療、教育、制造業(yè)等各個領(lǐng)域，為農(nóng)業(yè)畜牧業(yè)賦能，提高相關(guān)產(chǎn)品的附加值。

“通過此次論壇，我相信我們會在重點合作領(lǐng)域取得長足進展，比如基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施、數(shù)字化技術(shù)、數(shù)字化解決方案、數(shù)字化轉(zhuǎn)型、網(wǎng)絡(luò)安全以及數(shù)字化人才方面。”巴哈馬經(jīng)濟事務(wù)部議會秘書韋德·沃森在致辭中表示，希望通過合作創(chuàng)新、經(jīng)驗共享，進一步把握數(shù)字化發(fā)展機遇。

韋德·沃森直言，重慶是一個技術(shù)創(chuàng)新高地，巴哈馬正在嘗試建立本國的生態(tài)技術(shù)系統(tǒng)，可以學(xué)習(xí)借鑒重慶經(jīng)驗。

中拉數(shù)字技術(shù)合作蓬勃發(fā)展、方興未艾

數(shù)字經(jīng)濟已成為推動中國經(jīng)濟增長的主要引擎之一，也是促進國際合作的重點領(lǐng)域之一。一直以來，中方支持各國在數(shù)字“大舞臺”百花齊放，反對“技術(shù)封鎖”、數(shù)字鐵幕、科技霸權(quán)。

中國政府拉美事務(wù)特別代表邱小琪在致辭中表示，中拉雙方在涉及彼此核心利益和重大關(guān)切問題上密切配合，在反霸反干涉、維護“全球南方”國家共同發(fā)展權(quán)益的過程中攜手并肩，中拉政治互信基礎(chǔ)不斷夯實。

當前，中國云技術(shù)正在為巴西等國企業(yè)，提供安全、高效、低成本的數(shù)據(jù)存儲服務(wù)；中國—哥倫比亞智網(wǎng)互聯(lián)實驗室，利用數(shù)字化仿真技術(shù)，助力布埃納文圖拉港口建設(shè)；中國科研團隊還為智利和厄瓜多爾的生態(tài)環(huán)境保護項目提供了數(shù)據(jù)支持。

丹尼爾·菲爾穆斯表示，阿根廷已和中國相關(guān)部門開展長期合作，且達成相關(guān)共識。

此外，烏拉圭牛肉、乳制品等優(yōu)質(zhì)農(nóng)產(chǎn)品，也已借助中國電商平臺走進千萬中國尋常百姓家中。

“中國是烏拉圭農(nóng)業(yè)出口排名第一的目的地國。”烏拉圭工業(yè)、能源和礦業(yè)部長奧馬爾·帕加尼尼表示，希望加強與中國在節(jié)能減排等領(lǐng)域的合作，進一步降低碳排放，為未來發(fā)展奠定更為堅實的基礎(chǔ)。

據(jù)悉，22個拉美和加勒比國家同中國簽署了“一帶一路”合作文件，中國同厄瓜多爾、尼加拉瓜、洪都拉斯、秘魯?shù)葒再Q(mào)談判或自貿(mào)升級均取得重要進展。2022年，中拉貿(mào)易額逼近5000億美元大關(guān)，中拉經(jīng)貿(mào)合作紐帶日益緊密。

致力于拓展數(shù)字技術(shù)合作廣度深度

數(shù)字技術(shù)合作有著廣闊的發(fā)展空間，容得下世界各國共同參與。數(shù)字技術(shù)合作，有利于推動科技與制度創(chuàng)新，縮小全球數(shù)字鴻溝，促進各國平衡發(fā)展。

“‘數(shù)字絲綢之路’在服務(wù)拉美22個共建‘一帶一路’倡議國家的數(shù)字基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施建設(shè)、推動貿(mào)易創(chuàng)新發(fā)展、促進科技國際合作等方面，取得了務(wù)實成果?！敝袊鐣茖W(xué)院拉丁美洲研究所社會文化研究室、阿根廷研究中心主任郭存海表示，從未來十年來看，中拉共建“數(shù)字絲綢之路”將為雙方釋放新的發(fā)展?jié)撃?、開辟新的空間。

他以基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施建設(shè)、共享經(jīng)濟模式、電子商務(wù)為例指出，拉美地區(qū)與中國加強合作的意愿日趨強烈。鑒于數(shù)字經(jīng)濟在提振生產(chǎn)效率、降低供給成本、促進需求結(jié)構(gòu)升級、提高創(chuàng)新能力等方面釋放的正向外溢效應(yīng)，中拉雙方應(yīng)該抓住這一機遇，推動相關(guān)部門深入對接合作，以滿足雙方現(xiàn)階段結(jié)構(gòu)性改革的共同需求。

“要努力保證我們的數(shù)字化實現(xiàn)包容性發(fā)展?！彼_爾瓦多總統(tǒng)府創(chuàng)新國務(wù)秘書丹尼爾·門德斯表示，薩爾瓦多已經(jīng)制定了一些涉及醫(yī)療、教育等領(lǐng)域的中長期規(guī)劃和具體項目，希望提高整個社會的數(shù)字化水平。未來，他希望和其他國家開展更多學(xué)習(xí)交流，一起實現(xiàn)美好的生活愿景。

巴西科技創(chuàng)新部數(shù)字科技創(chuàng)新司代理司長克里斯緹娜·阿克米·斯摩達·維?！に魉_表示，希望通過加強數(shù)字技術(shù)合作，為所有人創(chuàng)造更加繁榮和包容的未來。

“拉美和加勒比地區(qū)的中小微企業(yè)管理水平相對較低，破產(chǎn)率非常高，需要通過一系列國際化、數(shù)字化手段，以及發(fā)展電子商務(wù)，來幫助這些中小微企業(yè)?！蹦鞲缇S拉克魯斯大學(xué)“中國—維拉克魯斯研究中心”研究員斯蒂文·索特雷認為，數(shù)字化浪潮為傳統(tǒng)貿(mào)易提供了全新機遇，讓各個國家可以實現(xiàn)“買全球、賣全球”。

“如今，中國是加拉地區(qū)的第二大貿(mào)易合作伙伴。”斯蒂文·索特雷強烈希望，進一步促進中國和加勒比地區(qū)之間的經(jīng)貿(mào)往來及互通互聯(lián)，以及在數(shù)字領(lǐng)域的相關(guān)合作。

文/重慶日報

圖/活動主辦方提供