The Chinese government on Wednesday launched its first ever policy paper on Latin America and the Caribbean region, mapping out an overall blueprint for future cooperation between the two sides.

"The paper, the first of its kind issued by the government, further clarifies the goals of China's policy in this region," said Qin Gang, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman.

The Chinese Government views its relations with Latin America and the Caribbean from a strategic plane and seeks to build and develop a comprehensive and cooperative partnership featuring equality, mutual benefit and common development with Latin American and Caribbean countries, according to the paper.

"Latin American and Caribbean countries are an important part of the developing world and playing an increasingly important role in international and regional affairs," Qin said, adding that the China-Latin America relations has witnessed all-round, multi-level and wide-range development in recent years.

"To develop friendly relations with developing countries including Latin America and Caribbean region is the basic stand of China's diplomatic policy," Qin said.

"The Chinese government has issued this policy paper with the hope to further enhance mutual understanding and trust with Latin American and Caribbean countries, deepen cooperation in various fields, and promote China-Latin America relations."

(Xinhua News Agency November 5, 2008)