2023中國—拉美和加勒比國家數字技術合作論壇召開 探索數字合作“藍海”共建“數字絲綢之路”

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字技術合作論壇在渝舉行。作為2023年智博會舉辦的專業論壇之一，論壇以“把握數字技術新機遇，激發中拉合作新動能”為主題，旨在凝聚各方共識，共同探索數字技術合作“藍海”，持續深化中拉數字技術合作，共建“數字絲綢之路”。

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部門、駐華使館、記者和中國社會科學院、部分國內知名企業等160余人齊聚重慶，圍繞數字基礎設施建設、數字技術與應用、數字技術人才培養及國際合作交流等多個議題積極建言獻策，合力探索挖掘數字經濟等新興領域增長潛力，推動互利共贏的數字經貿合作。論壇發布了“中國—拉美和加勒比國家數字技術合作論壇重慶倡議”。

論壇由工信部、市政府主辦，市政府外辦、市經信委、渝中區政府、中國信息通信研究院承辦，重慶信息通信研究院協辦。

以科技合作應對數字化新趨勢已成共識

當下，以數字技術、人工智能為代表的新技術、新業態成為各國實現經濟社會發展的強大支撐，也為包括中國同拉美和加勒比國家在內的“全球南方”國家搶抓機遇、共謀發展創造了有利契機。

工業和信息化部副部長張云明在致辭中表示，我國數字經濟發展勢頭強勁，成為轉變發展方式、優化發展結構、轉換發展動力、提升發展質量的強大引擎。2022年，我國數字經濟規模突破50萬億元，總量居世界第二。

他建議，以共建“一帶一路”為契機，加快中拉技術和產業優勢互補，持續推動新型基礎設施建設和信息資源共建共享，共同推動數字技術在制造、教育、醫療、農業等領域應用，深化數字化技術人才培養，通過共同打造實驗室等多種方式，拓展中拉數字技術合作廣度、深度。

“對阿根廷來說，與中國的合作是至關重要的，我們希望和中國開展更多合作。”阿根廷科技創新部部長丹尼爾·菲爾穆斯表示，阿根廷正在制定促進國家科技發展的創新戰略，希望促進阿根廷與其他國家的數字化技術合作，進一步把科學技術發展應用于農業、醫療、教育、制造業等各個領域，為農業畜牧業賦能，提高相關產品的附加值。

“通過此次論壇，我相信我們會在重點合作領域取得長足進展，比如基礎設施、數字化技術、數字化解決方案、數字化轉型、網絡安全以及數字化人才方面。”巴哈馬經濟事務部議會秘書韋德·沃森在致辭中表示，希望通過合作創新、經驗共享，進一步把握數字化發展機遇。

韋德·沃森直言，重慶是一個技術創新高地，巴哈馬正在嘗試建立本國的生態技術系統，可以學習借鑒重慶經驗。

中拉數字技術合作蓬勃發展、方興未艾

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

中國政府拉美事務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”國家共同發展權益的過程中攜手并肩，中拉政治互信基礎不斷夯實。

當前，中國云技術正在為巴西等國企業，提供安全、高效、低成本的數據存儲服務；中國—哥倫比亞智網互聯實驗室，利用數字化仿真技術，助力布埃納文圖拉港口建設；中國科研團隊還為智利和厄瓜多爾的生態環境保護項目提供了數據支持。

丹尼爾·菲爾穆斯表示，阿根廷已和中國相關部門開展長期合作，且達成相關共識。

此外，烏拉圭牛肉、乳制品等優質農產品，也已借助中國電商平臺走進千萬中國尋常百姓家中。

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

據悉，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、秘魯等國自貿談判或自貿升級均取得重要進展。2022年，中拉貿易額逼近5000億美元大關，中拉經貿合作紐帶日益緊密。

致力于拓展數字技術合作廣度深度

數字技術合作有著廣闊的發展空間，容得下世界各國共同參與。數字技術合作，有利于推動科技與制度創新，縮小全球數字鴻溝，促進各國平衡發展。

“‘數字絲綢之路’在服務拉美22個共建‘一帶一路’倡議國家的數字基礎設施建設、推動貿易創新發展、促進科技國際合作等方面，取得了務實成果。”中國社會科學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“數字絲綢之路”將為雙方釋放新的發展潛能、開辟新的空間。

他以基礎設施建設、共享經濟模式、電子商務為例指出，拉美地區與中國加強合作的意愿日趨強烈。鑒于數字經濟在提振生產效率、降低供給成本、促進需求結構升級、提高創新能力等方面釋放的正向外溢效應，中拉雙方應該抓住這一機遇，推動相關部門深入對接合作，以滿足雙方現階段結構性改革的共同需求。

“要努力保證我們的數字化實現包容性發展。”薩爾瓦多總統府創新國務秘書丹尼爾·門德斯表示，薩爾瓦多已經制定了一些涉及醫療、教育等領域的中長期規劃和具體項目，希望提高整個社會的數字化水平。未來，他希望和其他國家開展更多學習交流，一起實現美好的生活愿景。

巴西科技創新部數字科技創新司代理司長克里斯緹娜·阿克米·斯摩達·維希·索薩表示，希望通過加強數字技術合作，為所有人創造更加繁榮和包容的未來。

“拉美和加勒比地區的中小微企業管理水平相對較低，破產率非常高，需要通過一系列國際化、數字化手段，以及發展電子商務，來幫助這些中小微企業。”墨西哥維拉克魯斯大學“中國—維拉克魯斯研究中心”研究員斯蒂文·索特雷認為，數字化浪潮為傳統貿易提供了全新機遇，讓各個國家可以實現“買全球、賣全球”。

“如今，中國是加拉地區的第二大貿易合作伙伴。”斯蒂文·索特雷強烈希望，進一步促進中國和加勒比地區之間的經貿往來及互通互聯，以及在數字領域的相關合作。

文/重慶日報

圖/活動主辦方提供