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Participants sit in front of the G20 Summit logo on November 18, 2024 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: VCG

During President Xi Jinping's trip to Latin America in November, he participated in two important multilateral meetings, the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and the 19th G20 Summit, while also paying state visits to Peru and Brazil. This set a record in recent years as the longest diplomatic trip. Furthermore, it is a vivid practice of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics that demonstrates Chinese modernization, proposes Chinese solutions and builds global consensus.

In fact, both at the forefront and behind the scenes of the APEC meeting in Lima and the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, there was still an undercurrent of competition between major powers and the struggle between camps, and it is not easy to reach consensus documents. Judging from the themes and outcomes of the two conferences, they responded to questions such as where the world is headed, what countries should do and how China should act.

First of all, the two multilateral meetings once again showed that the multi-polarization of the global landscape is accelerating. The traditional Western groups represented by G7, and the vast number of countries in the Global South have displayed a balance of power. The APEC and G20 meetings brought the previously neglected Latin American region to the center of the world stage like never before. As an important pole of the Global South, the rising influence of the Latin American region means that the internal strength of the Global South is more balanced, and the multi-polarization of the world is developing in depth.

Second, true multilateralism and open regionalism have demonstrated strong vitality. In recent years, the US and some other Western countries have interfered with the Asia-Pacific regional cooperation structure, while the Ukraine crisis has impacted unity and cooperation within the G20. Against this backdrop, some voices in the international strategic community and academic circles have expressed negative views about the role and prospects of APEC and the G20 mechanisms. But judging from the two meetings this year, APEC and the G20 as two cross-continental multilateral frameworks still play an irreplaceable role in global governance. Their strong vitality lies precisely in practicing the concept of true multilateralism, something China has always advocated for and adhered to.

Third, seeking common ground while reserving differences and uniting for self-reliance are the best solutions to resolve external risks and challenges. Historically, multilateral cooperation and regional integration processes have often been crisis-driven. The G20 Summit at the level of heads of state or government debuted during the 2008 global financial crisis. Faced with the rampant risks of camp confrontation and the countercurrent of protectionism in today's world, many countries demonstrated a strong sense of crisis and willingness to cooperate at the two multilateral meetings. By actively participating in global governance, they have promoted the formation of broad consensus with a constructive attitude.

APEC seeks to build an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040. During this year's Economic Leaders' Meeting, the Lima Roadmap focusing on achieving the growth of inclusive trade and investment was reached, which will undoubtedly contribute to the economic growth of the Asia-Pacific and the world. The G20 Summit reached pragmatic results in solving global hunger and poverty issues and taking action to address climate change. It also reached many new consensuses on the improvement of multilateral cooperation mechanisms in areas such as UN reforms, global financial system, trade and investment, and artificial intelligence. It also demonstrated its role as a responsible global governance platform.

Standing at a major historical juncture, the global consensus gathered during these "Latin American moments" will help form an inclusive globalization and a multipolarity with greater equality and order. The "Latin American spirit" shown by the APEC and G20 meetings will also become the mainstay for the international community to unite and strengthen itself to cope with challenges.

The author is a research fellow of the Department for Asia-Pacific Studies at the China Institute of International Studies. [email protected]