Director of Latin America-China Observatory Photo: Shan Jie/GT

Editor's Note:

The 17th BRICS Summit convenes in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from July 6-7, 2025 - a pivotal moment for Global South cooperation. Before the summit, the "Global Times Overseas China Week and Global South Dialogue" series arrived in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) from June 22-28 local time, setting the stage for meaningful engagement. In partnership with local institutions, the series included key events including the "Seminar on Relations between China and LAC Countries, and the Mutual Perception of Public Opinion" in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the "Roundtable Forum of China-LAC Countries" at the BRICS Summit hosted city Rio de Janeiro. These gatherings brought together dozens of eminent figures from politics, academic, media, and business across China and the LAC, fostering candid dialogues and profound exchanges.

Notably in Buenos Aires, the Global Times interviewed Patricio Conejero Ortiz, director of Latin America-China Observatory (OLAC) at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), who shared his view on the evolving role of Global South nations - particularly BRICS members - in reshaping multilateral frameworks and the significance of deepening cooperation with China. 

Prominently featured on its website, the Latin America-China Observatory (OLAC) states, "We concentrate on analyzing the Chinese path to modernization, looking into how this process has managed to close technological gaps with developed countries."

"I believe that one of the problems that we have in the LAC, particularly in Argentina, is that when we discuss economic development, most of the models that we take into account are models developed in the Western world that are mostly useful to understand development in Global North countries," Patricio Conejero Ortiz, director of the OLAC at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), told Global Times.

He stressed that understanding and learning from Chinese path to modernization is significant as it can bring new ideas and more possibilities to the discussions on development in the LAC region, as well as provide new proposals regarding the roles of governments and universities. 

"For instance, since the reform and opening-up, the Chinese government has consistently prioritized the development of universities and research centers to enhance the country's technological capabilities," he said.

According to Ortiz's observations, the level of research collaboration integration in the Global South remains relatively low. He believes that countries participating in the "BRICS+" initiative need to address this issue through strategic planning. For instance, establishing a BRICS research agency could provide universities in various countries with channels to access international collaboration funding. 

As a member of the Global South, China is actively participating in and promoting cooperation among countries in the Global South across various mechanisms and frameworks, including in the field of research, Ortiz said.

Ortiz pointed out that Chinese institutions, universities, and the technology ecosystem are receiving increasing attention within the community at the UBA. They are attempting to align the interests of faculty and students with opportunities for China-LAC cooperation. Currently, the university has already launched various collaborative projects with China. "This not only deepens our understanding of Chinese society, but also enhances the quality of our research and academic programs," he stressed. 

"The LAC needs to develop detailed long-term technological development plans and establish a research cooperation agenda with China," he said. Ortiz believes that the relationship between the LAC and China can bring numerous opportunities for development on both sides, with the key being that the LAC must formulate specific cooperation plans in technology and economy with China.

Ortiz noted that the UBA established OLAC with the intention of making it a leading think tank in the LAC region - not only to explore the relationship between Argentina and China, but also to conceptualize and design a cooperation framework with China from a regional strategic perspective, "This is what we are doing, what we are developing with many Chinese universities and Latin American universities," he said.

In recent years, China and the LAC have been continuously writing a story of shared destiny. In May, the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum was held in Beijing. In Ortiz's view, this meeting is the latest milestone in the decade-long development of China-LAC relations, which have now formed a historical foundation.

He particularly mentioned that the "five programs" proposed by China during the forum are of great significance and particularly crucial.

Ortiz believes that the Solidarity Program can promote mutual political trust between LAC countries and China; the Development Program focuses on development cooperation and strengthens economic and technological collaboration; the Civilization Program aims at cultural exchanges, promoting human connections and cultural ties between China and the LAC; the Peace Program advocates for peace, which is a valuable asset in the LAC region, and China has a long tradition of promoting peace around the world, thus China and Latin America should make peace policies the core of their relationship; the People-to-People Connectivity Program can enhance cultural connectivity, including cooperation between universities and research centers, which has become an important component of China-LAC relations. 

"These five programs not only reflect the common interests of both sides but also construct a clear agenda for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and LAC countries," he said.

This year marks the 53rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Argentina. Reflecting on the bilateral relationship and its prospects, Ortiz told the Global Times: "Our 53-year bilateral relations have always been based on mutual trust and common interests. This trust has had a profound impact on advancing mutually beneficial cooperation projects. The high economic complementarity between China and Argentina lays a solid foundation for future relations." 

Visitors tour the Argentine exhibition area at an international food exhibition in Shanghai, on May 20, 2025. Photo: VCG

He stressed that Argentina should focus on building long-term relations with China rather than being confined to short-term political contexts.

Despite the geographical distance between China and Argentina, it has not hindered the convergence of their peoples' hearts. Ortiz told the Global Times that through years of collaboration with Chinese colleagues, he has found that people from both countries share many similarities in values - such as prioritizing friends and family. These everyday commonalities form part of our identity. "Sharing these values is a valuable asset, and we should build friendship based on these common grounds," he said. 

"I'm sure that this will bring closer connections, and we will be able to build the bridge as we need to have a close relationship between China and Argentina."

An aerial view of Buenos Aires, capital city of Argentina Photo: VCG