Expectations of Opportunities Between China and Colombia
By H.E.Mr. Oscar Rueda García, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombian to China
● BRI and Latin America
● Colombia and the BRI
The Ancient Silk route, was initially a regional trade link between the Asian countries for the exchanges of goods. Firstly, it involved these countries, and then it included some routes to other continents such as Europe and Africa.
Particularly, around 1565, it included America, through the Galleon of Manila, that crossed the Pacific Ocean from this city to Acapulco, in Mexico. This means, it was the first global trade route, that exchanges “a large amount of commodities like silk, porcelain, lacquer, cotton, blanket and tea from China, India, Persia, and Japan” (Chinese Government) to Latin America. Being a historical integration process and a globalization initiative, it has been an inspirational study case for modern trade, and specifically for the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.
The “Belt and Road Initiative – BRI” was launched in 2013 by China, as an innovative integration process to rebuild the ancient Silk Road, in order to boost economic and trade relations. Its main objective is to strengthen a worldwide better connectivity development trough infrastructure building (roads, ports, and airports). However, is also looking forward to improve cultural and education exchange, reinforce people to people links, develop science and technology, among others.
In 2015, it was published the “Vision and Actions outlined on jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road”, issued by the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, with the State Council authorization. This plan is divided in different chapters that outlined the background, principles, priorities, mechanisms, among others, that set ambitious goals for the future. It clearly describes five main objectives: policy coordination, connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration, and people-to-people bonds.
To launch the Initiative globally, China carried out the Forum Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation on May 2017. During the Forum China presented the advantages and principles of cooperation, as well as, some projects that will have an impact in regional integration. During this forum, 28 headed of states attended the roundtable meeting and more than 1,500 experts took part in discussions. China made clear there is no specific characteristic needed to be part of this big platform. In his speech, president Xi invited Latin American and Caribbean countries to joint this initiative.
BRI is by far, President Xi’s most ambitious foreign and economic policy, based on the creation of strong ties between the different countries, to achieve common goals. Despite any specific consideration, this initiative attracts the world´s eyes to analyze and understand how different regions in the world can access it. Consequently, it has been recognized as an effort to provide new schemes of cooperation and create tight links globally. According to official announcements, more than 100 countries and several international organization have been participating in BRI.
Moreover, International Organizations support specific projects in some matters that are of general interest as the United Nations Agenda of Sustainable Development and its SDGs. In this sense, it provides a further framework that includes not only China’s economic relations, but as it is described by the UNDP, a “bridging with the rest of the world both physically, financially, digitally and socially”. For example, in some UNSC Resolutions and UNGA, it is mentioned as a regional development initiative, that has become an important multilateral cooperation mechanism.
It should be noted that several efforts has been made by China to contribute to wide this cooperation and investment initiative. The establishment of the China-Mongolia-Russia corridor is just one example of a successful national plan that promote social and economic development among the region. The Eurasian and Economic Union, as well as the Northern Power House of Britain, shows how this initiative, that look upon on favorable investment projects, has had recognition among strong economies.
Along with this, economic and social development around the world it’s a key factor that has been shown trough projects as the establishment of the Multilateral Development Agency AIIB (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank) which was founded by 57 countries, including four of the five permanent member of UNSC: UK, France, Russia and China. The AIIB was formally established on December 25, 2015 with a capital of USD 100 billion. Since then, this organization has provided more than USD 509 million for power distribution, system upgrade and expansions of projects in Bangladesh, Indonesia and Pakistan (CCICC´s Belt and Road Research Team).
Following this line, BRI expect to contribute 60% of the world´s economic growth over the next 10 years. Some calculations made by several models presented by the BRI, shows the actual annual growth rate of the GDP in the next 10 years will reach 4,7%. This means that the total GDP in the BRI including the UE member countries will reach USD 62 trillion” (CCICC´s Belt and Road Research Team). Nonetheless, this only will be possible if countries work together to enhance connectivity in the fields of economy and finance information, being capable to adapt and participated in the lead off the new economic revolution at the information era.
During China´s government most important event of the year, the two sessions, they also highlighted BRI as the prioritized strategy. For that reason, there were presented additional achievements, underlining there were signed 101 documents of cooperation with around 86 countries and international organizations. The building of speed trains and railways such as Mombasa-Nairobi, China-Laos and Hungry-Serbia, among others, are several examples of the implementation, effectiveness and execution of the projects. Likewise, making reference to the construction of structures that facilitate the transportation of important materials suchas oil, China has finished, in cooperation with Russia, the project of the second line of the crude oil pipeline.
Additionally, during this important sessions, they announced the creation of a new international development cooperation agency, one of the few decisions that involved an extension of the government´s bureaucracy, which will take responsibilities regarding the expansion of the BRI. This new agency will be in charge of drafting foreign aid policies and control the projects execution. In this regard, the cooperation and aids for development are one of the main concerns for the Chinese government.
BRI and Latin America
In recent years, China has increased its relationship with Latin America in terms of politics, trade, investment, cooperation, culture and education, among others. Therefore, BRI represents an opportunity to expand mutual benefits in different areas and to establish solid grounds to eliminate geographical barriers. In addition, it became a unique chance to enhance trans-pacific connectivity.
China and Latin America had an specific interindustry trade and economic relation, in which commerce was based on the exchange of raw materials and manufactured products. This dynamic, exposed the trade deficit with China, in which for example, Mexico´s exports to China in 2016 reached only 1.4% of its total exports. Meanwhile, the imports from China to Mexico represented 18% of its total imports (CEPAL).
Nevertheless, there are sectors like agriculture, in which the region keep a surplus, than in 2016, reached USD 23,000 million (CEPAL), becoming the perfect opportunity to diversify regional exportations to China. In this matter, both Latin American and China share similar profits that benefits both markets. In this sector, there has been an steadily growth of the participation of China in the total exports of the region, from 3% in 2000 to 13% in 2016.
Taking into account the importance of BRI in China´s policy, Latin American countries are introducing this approach in their bilateral and multilateral relations. For example, Presidents of Argentina and Chile attended the BRI Summit. In that occasion Chile highlighted the importance of communications and virtual routes in the digital era, and advanced in some ideas regarding a fiber optic cable between both countries. Additionally, President Bachelet affirmed the initiative matches the open trade policy and that Chile wants to play a main role in the "new sea route" across the Pacific Ocean.
Furthermore, during the “II Ministerial Meeting of the Celac-China Forum” held in Chile in February 2018, it was agreed an special declaration regarding the BRI. Accordingly, the declaration stated that China “considers that Latin American and Caribbean countries are part of the natural extension of the Maritime Silk Route and are indispensable participants”. This not only represents an step forward in the process, but also an specific interest in its development. Moreover, it declares an additional official invitation to Latin American and the Caribbean countries to join.
China stated it is willing to share and cooperate with Latin American countries in a reciprocal basis, and a win-win approach. In this sense, Latin American countries recognizes China as one of the main partners in terms of cooperation, in identified areas as: politics, infrastructure, transportation, ICTs, capacity building, agriculture, science and technology, environment, culture, innovation, among others.
The above, is an example of the willingness of both regions to expand their tights trough a new process of integration and a commitment with the principles of cooperation.
Colombia and the BRI
Colombia is a large (4th in LA) and dynamic economy, leader in Latin America in terms of economic growth, with an average of 4.1% in the past six years. The GDP per capita (PPP) in Colombia has doubled in the last 15 years, going from USD 6,603 in 2000 to USD 14,126 in 2016 (IMF). At the same time is the fourth most business-friendly destination in Latin America (Doing Business 2018), and had the most policy reforms to improve its business environment in the region.
In terms of investment, Colombia offers a wide range of incentives as Free Trade Zones, tax exempt income, incentives for machinery imports, research, development and innovation, among others. As a result, according to the World Investment Report, Colombia is #21 in the ranking of the main destinations for FDI in the world. In 2016, the country recorded USD 13,743 million of inward FDI, an increase of 18.1% compared to the FDI recorded during 2015 (USD 11,632 million). In 2017, it continue increasing, and recorded a total of USD 14,518 million.
In terms of connectivity, Colombia is an important hub in Latin America. In this sense, the main airport (El Dorado in Bogota) is number one in cargo and number three in passenger’s traffic. In the same way, Colombia has a new infrastructure development plan that includes fourth generation roads, airports and ports, as an innovative condition for progress.
In this context, Colombia is an attractive market that has been expanding its ties with Asia Pacific, and specifically with China. Colombia has been strengthening the bilateral relations with China, through visits and high level meetings, with the aim of drawing clear lines and projects that benefit both countries. Thus, during the PM Li Keqiang´s visit to Colombia in 2015, both countries signed 12 agreements in technical and economic cooperation, housing, SMEs, capacity building, working plans in education and culture, investment, agriculture, infrastructure projects, industrial capacity, among others. This represents a wide cooperation framework in which both countries identified opportunities and are developing activities.
For example the company CHEC-China Harbour Engineering Company, is involved in the public private partnership to develop a fourth generation road, called MAR 2. Similarly, there are two ambitious projects established in a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of infrastructure and connectivity in Buenaventura (Colombian main port in terms of exports) and Altillanura (region with the greatest potential for agricultural development).
Additionally, there has been other high level visits as: visit from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of China to Colombia, in order to review the political agenda, visit of the Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism of Colombia to China, to improve trade and investment; and from the Minister of Water Resources of China to Colombia, in order to enhance cooperation in housing and access to water.
China has been one of the main cooperators in matters of national interest, where we can highlight its commitment to our post-conflict and peace building, through donations and execution of projects for development in infrastructure, agriculture, education and sports. Colombia appreciates this cooperation and hopes to continue working on the implementation of these projects.
Moreover, economically, China is one of our main trading partners, ranking #2 in terms of imports in exports. In 2017, exports amounted around USD2,000 million and import amounted around USD8,000 million. Regarding, our efforts to diversify our exports, currently, we work together so that more Colombian products such as Hass avocado and bovine meat can enter China´s market. Likewise, we have initiated approaches on the feasibility of developing a study for a Commercial Agreement.
Everything mentioned above demonstrates the coincidences between the new dynamics of Colombia and the BRI, defining this initiative as an exceptional opportunity to deepen cooperation. In conclusion, Colombia highlights the achievements of BRI, its importance for the world, Latin America and our country, and considers this process promotes connectivity and integration with Asia Pacific.
In this sense, is following closely its achievements and looking forward to understand its institutionalization and procedures.
中文版：
一带一路倡议是哥中双方加深合作的新契机。我们将继续关注一带一路的进展，同时期待了解更多有关制度化和程序化的内容
文|奥斯卡·鲁埃达·加西亚(H.E.Mr. Oscar Rueda García ) 哥伦比亚共和国驻华大使 翻译|檀生兰
图片提供|哥伦比驻华大使馆
● 倡议发展历程
● “带路”倡议与拉丁美洲
● “带路”倡议与哥伦比亚
丝绸之路原本是一条亚洲各国进行商品交换的区域性贸易线路。刚开始仅限于亚洲，后来延伸至欧洲和非洲大陆多条线路。1565年左右，马尼拉帆船穿越太平洋，到达墨西哥的阿尔普尔科城市，把这条线路延伸至美洲。也就是说，这是第一条全球贸易之路，当时大量丝绸、瓷器、漆器、棉布、地毯和茶叶从中国、印度、波斯和日本被销往拉丁美洲。古丝绸之路是历史上的一体化和全球化倡议，因而对研究现代贸易，特别是研究丝绸之路经济带和海上丝绸之路建设具有启示意义。
倡议发展历程
2013年，中国提出“一带一路”倡议（简称 “带路”倡议），旨在重建古丝绸之路，促进全球创新一体化发展，加强经贸联系。“带路”倡议的主要目标是推进道路、港口、机场等基础设施互联互通，推动文化教育交流、人文交流和科技等领域的发展。
2015年，中国国家发改委、外交部和商务部联合发布“推动共建丝绸之路经济带和21世纪海上丝绸之路的愿景和行动”，从时代背景、共建原则、合作重点、合作机制等方面阐述了主张和内涵，为未来发展勾画了宏伟蓝图，将合作重点概括为政策沟通、设施联通、贸易畅通、资金融通、民心相通。
2017年5月，中国主办了“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛，共商“一带一路”建设国际合作大计。在此期间，中国介绍了合作原则和优势，以及推动区域一体化发展的一系列项目。共有28位外国元首和政府首脑出席圆桌会议，1500名专家参加讨论。中国明确表示任何国家都可以加入这个大平台。习主席在大会发表演讲，邀请拉美和加勒比国家加入倡议。
“带路”倡议是习主席当前外交和促进经济发展的伟大创举，通过加强国家间友好交往关系，共同实现发展目标。尽管大家看法不一，但是该倡议还是吸引了世界的眼球，各国开始分析了解如何才能参与其中，并认为这个新计划将有助于加强国际合作和交往。根据中国官方公布的数字，超过100个国家和国际组织已经加入“带路”倡议。国际组织支持某些领域的特定项目，因为它们与联合国可持续发展议程和可持续发展目标不谋而合。从这个意义上说，“带路”倡议提供了一个新的框架，它不仅包含中国的对外经济关系，而且正如联合国开发计划署所描述的那样，它还成为中国与世界在物质、金融、数字和社会方面交汇的桥梁。联合国安理会决议和联合国大会也多次提到“带路”倡议作为一个地区发展倡议已经成为一个重要的多边合作机制。
众所周知，中国采取一系列措施，扩大合作和投资力度。比如， “中蒙俄经济走廊” 建设，它是促进域内经济社会发展国家计划的典范。再比如，“一带一路”倡议，通过与“欧亚经济联盟”和“英国北部经济振兴”战略对接，实现投资项目升级，得到很多经济大国的认可。
但是，要实现世界经济社会发展，必须解决项目实施的关键因素。鉴于此，57个国家共同筹建多边开发机构，即亚投行（亚洲基础设施投资银行），其中包括联合国安理会4个常任理事国——英国、法国、俄罗斯和中国。2015年12月25日，亚投行正式成立，法定股本为1000亿美元。首批贷款总计5.09亿美元，用于发展孟加拉国、印度尼西亚、巴基斯坦的电力配送、系统更新和项目拓展等项目。
照此发展，“带路”倡议在今后10年有望贡献全球经济60%的增长。有关“带路”倡议的各种预测显示未来10年GDP年均增长率将达到4.7%。这意味着包括欧盟成员国在内的“带路”沿线国家GDP总和将达到62万亿美元。但是，所有这些要想成为现实，世界各国必须携手合作，加强经济、金融、信息等领域的互联互通，率先适应和参与信息时代的新经济变革。
在两个极其重要的年度会议——两会期间，中国政府再次强调“带路”倡议的重要意义，介绍了最新的发展成就，主要包括：与大约86个国家和国际组织签署了101分合作文件；蒙内（蒙巴萨至内罗毕），中老（中国至老挝），匈塞（匈牙利至塞尔维亚）铁路建设等一大批项目得到有效实施和开展；还有一些运输重要材料的管道建设比如石油管道——中俄原油管道二线工程已经竣工。中国政府还在两会期间宣布成立了国际发展合作署，它可以避免官僚机构的弊病，更好地服务共建 “带路”建设，是两会做出的重要决定之一。这个新机构将负责制定外援政策，监督外援项目的执行情况。由此可见，中国政府非常重视国际发展的合作和援助。
“带路”倡议与拉丁美洲
近年来，中国与拉美国家在政治、贸易、投资、合作、文化及教育等方面交流密切。因此，“带路”倡议为打破双方地理障碍奠定坚实的基础，提供了彼此多领域互利合作的机遇，借此机会提升跨太平洋互联互通水平。
中国和拉美地区建立了特定的产业间经贸联系，进出口商品主要是原材料和制造品。然而，这种贸易模式导致拉美与中国的贸易逆差。根据联合国拉美和加勒比经济委员会公布的数字，2016年中国对华出口只占其总出口的1.4%，进口中国产品占其总进口的18%。但是，有些行业的情况有所不同。据联合国拉美和加勒比经济委员会官方数据，2016年拉美地区与中国农业贸易顺差达到230亿美元，成为拉美国家寻求对华出口多元化的完美契机，使彼此利润相当，对双方市场都有利。近年来，拉美地区对华农产品出口保持稳定增长，出口额比重从2000年的3%增长到2016年13%。
鉴于“带路”倡议对中国的重要意义，拉美国家纷纷将其纳入双边和多边关系中。例如，阿根廷和智利总统均出席了“带路”峰会。智利总统在会上强调数字年代通信和虚拟线路的重要性，并就双方合作建设光纤光缆发表看法。巴切莱特总统赞同“带路”倡议是开放性的贸易政策，并表示智利愿意在建设跨太平洋新航线方面发挥重要作用。2018年2月，“中拉论坛部长级会议”在智利召开，会议通过了关于“一带一路”倡议的特别声明。根据声明，中方认为拉美和加勒比国家是海上丝绸之路的自然延伸和“一带一路”国际合作不可或缺的参与方。这一进展意义重大，表明拉美和加勒比国家有意愿参与“带路”建设，代表中方正式邀请拉美和加勒比国家参与“带路”倡议。
中国表示愿意与拉美国家推动互利共赢，共享合作成果。拉美国家视中国为其重要合作伙伴，双方合作领域涉及政治、基础设施、交通运输、信息与通信技术、能力建设、农业、科技、环境、文化、创新等。总之，双方都愿意扩大交往，增进合作，推动一体化进程。
⬆哥伦比亚的夜晚 （CFP）
“带路”倡议与哥伦比亚
哥伦比亚是一个（拉美第四）生气勃勃的经济大国，过去6年平均经济增长率达到4.1%，是拉美地区发展最快的国家。根据国际货币基金组织的数字，过去15年哥伦比亚人均GDP 翻了一番，从2000年的6,603美元增加到2016年的14,126美元。不仅如此，根据世界银行2018年发布的《全球营商环境报告》，哥伦比亚营商环境便利度在拉丁美洲排在第四位，其为改善地区营商环境做出最大程度的政策调整。
为了吸引外资，哥伦比亚实施各种激励措施，比如设立自贸区、减免税收、鼓励机械进口、研发和创新等等。联合国发布《世界投资报告》显示，哥伦比亚吸引外国直接投资排在全球第21位。2016年，哥伦比亚吸引外资137.43亿美元，较2015年（116.32亿美元）增加18.1%。 2017年，外资持续流入，共计145.18亿美元。
要说互联互通建设，哥伦比亚是拉美地区的重要交通枢纽。主要机场叫波哥大机场，又名埃尔多拉国际机场，是拉丁美洲最大的货运机场和第三大客运机场。才外，哥伦比亚还制定了新的基础设施发展规划，其中包括第四代公路、机场、港口，推动创新发展。
哥伦比亚利用市场吸引力不断扩大与亚太国家，特别是与中国的交往。哥伦比亚一直在加深与中国的双边关系，通过领导人互访和高层会议商讨惠及双方的政策和项目。2015年，李克强总理访问哥伦比亚，两国签署了12分协议，涵盖技术经济合作、住房建设、中小企业、能力建设、教育文化工作计划、投资、农业、基础设施建设、工业产能等领域。该框架拓宽了合作领域，给双方带来新的发展机遇。
中国港湾工程有限责任公司采取公私合营模式，参与马道斯高速公路（MAR2）第四代高速公路建设。“谅解备忘录”确立了Buenaventura（哥伦比亚主要出口港口布埃纳文图拉）与Altillanura（最具有农业发展潜力的地区）基础设施互联互通建设为两大雄心勃勃的项目。
两国高层互访频繁，如中国外交部长访问哥伦比亚讨论政治议程，哥伦比亚贸易工业旅游部部长访问中国，改善双边贸易投资关系，中国水利部部长访问哥伦比亚，希望加强双方在住房建设和水资源利用领域的合作等等。
中国是哥伦比亚的重要合作伙伴，双方可以重点投入后冲突时期的和平建设，通过提供援助或项目建设的方式推动基础设施、农业、教育和体育领域的发展。哥伦比亚赞赏这种合作方式，希望继续与中国合作实施这些项目。
从经济层面讲，中国是我们的主要贸易伙伴之一，它是我们第二大进口来源地和第二大出口市场。2017年，哥伦比亚对中国出口额为20亿美元，自中国进口额为80亿美元。当前，我们正在与中国一起努力，实现出口市场多元化，使哥伦比亚更多产品如哈斯鳄梨和牛肉等进入中国市场。与此同时，中哥启动了双边自贸协定可行性研究。
综上所述，哥伦比亚新战略与“带路”倡议的构思完全一致。“带路”倡议是中哥双方加深合作的新契机。哥伦比亚高度认可“带路”倡议取得的成果，以及它对我们国家、拉丁美洲，乃至整个世界的重大意义，同时认为“一带一路”建设将推动亚太地区的设施联通和一体化进程。
哥伦比亚继续关注“一带一路”的进展，同时期待了解更多有关制度化和程序化的内容。（编辑：张梅）