Latin America is in with China. Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping's recent tour to five Latin American countries is the latest testament to their growing relations. From February 8 to February 22, Xi traveled to Mexico, Jamaica, Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil, plus Malta in the Mediterranean and the South Pacific nation Fiji, where he made a stopover.

PARTNERSHIP: Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping calls for a long-term and stable energy partnership between China and Venezuela at a meeting with Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez on February 18 (HUANG JINGWEN)

His trip "upgraded China's relations with the seven countries, expanded bilateral political trust and strategic consensus, deepened pragmatic cooperation and promoted the overall development of China's relations with Latin America and Europe," said China's Vice Foreign Minister Li Jinzhang. Li accompanied Xi on his 15-day trip.

Against the backdrop of the global financial crisis, China is focusing on its relations with Latin America, international studies experts said. They pointed out that their relations are bound to expand given both sides' willingness to work together.

Upgrading ties

Xi's Latin American tour capped a flurry of diplomatic activity between China and Latin America. The Chinese Government issued China's Policy Paper on Latin America and the Caribbean in November 2008, outlining the guiding principles for future cooperation between the two sides in diverse fields.

In January this year, China joined the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group. The IDB Group is an international organization committed to financing development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Costa Rica, Cuba and Peru in November last year. From February 7 to 19 this year, Vice Premier Hui Liangyu toured Argentina, Ecuador, Barbados and the Bahamas.

Last year, both Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and Mexican President Felipe Calderón visited China. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.