On April 18, 2025, the China-Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Friendship Tree Planting event, themed on "Friendship Woods for a Shared Future," was held in Hongbo Park, Xiaohongmen Township, Chaoyang District. It was hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), and organized by the Chaoyang District People's Government with the special support from the Embassy of Uruguay in China. Qiu Xiaoqi, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Latin American Affairs; Li Xikui, Director of the China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development and former Vice President of the CPAFFC; Fernando Lugris, Head of the Mission from LAC and Ambassador of Uruguay to China; and Hugo Slies, Ambassador of Bolivia to China, attended and addressed the event. About 100 people from all sectors of society participated in the event. Among them were Zhang Tuo, Vice President of the China-LAC Friendship Association, Zhang Mei, Deputy Mayor of Chaoyang District, Anyin Choo, Ambassador of Guyana to China, and Miguel Humberto Lecaro Barcenas, Ambassador of Panama to China.

Qiu Xiaoqi noted that China and LAC countries enjoy a time-honored friendship. By commemorating the anniversaries of diplomatic relations between China and LAC countries through tree-planting, China envisions these saplings of bilateral friendship, nurtured with care, growing into a flourishing forest of China-LAC friendship. China stands ready to strengthen coordination with LAC countries to ensure the success of the upcoming fourth ministerial meeting of the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (China-CELAC Forum), jointly advancing higher-quality development of China-LAC relations.

Li Xikui highlighted that this year marks three milestones: the 10th anniversary of the launch of the China-CELAC Forum, anniversaries of the establishment (resumption) of diplomatic relations between China and multiple LAC countries, and the fifth year since China proposed its carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. The CPAFFC stands ready to work with the LAC diplomatic corps in China and all sectors of society to pursue green development, implement the Global Development Initiative, and build a clean and beautiful world.

Fernando Lugris stated that the fourth ministerial conference of the China-CELAC Forum will provide a crucial platform for LAC countries and China to scale new heights in their cooperation. As a country in the Global South, Uruguay has been concerned about and attached importance to environmental issues and is willing to make positive contributions to the joint efforts of LAC countries and China to address climate change and deepen sustainable cooperation.

According to Hugo Slies, over the 40 years since Bolivia and China established diplomatic ties, the two countries have continuously deepened political mutual trust and achieved fruitful outcomes in cooperation across all sectors, delivering tangible benefits to the people of both countries. Trees symbolize peace, and tree-planting nurtures vitality. The Bolivian side will work with the Chinese side to inject fresh momentum into the growth of Bolivia-China and LAC-China friendly relations.

Amidst the spring drizzle, Hongbo Park buzzed with activity. Distinguished guests worked in perfect coordination, shoveling soil, planting saplings, and backfilling pits. Through concerted efforts, the China-LAC Friendship Forest, which embodies the beautiful aspiration for the steady and sustained development of China-LAC friendly relations, has taken on a new look, brimming with vigor and vitality. In addition, guests from LAC countries also experienced China's intangible cultural heritage at the event site, allowing them to fully appreciate the unique charm of Chinese culture.