China offers LatAm, Caribbean billions

Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday vowed to deepen ties with Latin America at a time of "bloc confrontation" as he addressed regional leaders in Beijing.

Leaders and officials from Latin America and the Caribbean have descended on Beijing this week for the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum.

Beijing has stepped up economic and political cooperation with Latin American nations in recent years. Addressing leaders yesterday, Xi hailed China's ties with the region.

"Although China lies far from the Latin American and Caribbean region, the two sides have a time-honoured history of friendly exchanges," Xi said at the opening ceremony.