The inaugural China-Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) States Roundtable on Human Rights took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, marking a historic milestone in cooperation between China and LAC nations. More than 120 senior officials, scholars, and experts from both regions gathered to discuss pathways to advancing human rights, emphasizing the importance of peace and development.

Evandro Menezes de Carvalho, a renowned Brazilian scholar and head of the Brazil-China Research Group, delivered a keynote speech at the event. He hailed the roundtable as a “new chapter in dialogue,” highlighting the shared human rights visions between China and LAC, particularly in prioritizing socioeconomic development and peace.

Carvalho emphasized that human rights are intrinsically linked to peace and development, stressing that without these foundations, human rights cannot be fully realized. He criticized Western nations, particularly the United States, for using human rights as a justification for interventionist policies, often leading to destruction rather than progress.

“We must combat the political use of human rights as a tool for intervention,” Carvalho noted, praising China-LAC cooperation as a model for reframing human rights with a focus on peace and development. He added that this cooperation strengthens the South-South partnership and creates new opportunities for cultural exchange.

Carvalho, who was awarded the Chinese Government Friendship Award earlier this year, described China as his second home, having spent nearly five years there. He lauded China’s success in eradicating extreme poverty and becoming the world’s second-largest economy while preserving its cultural identity. He urged Brazil to recognize its indigenous roots as a common ground with China, emphasizing the need for intellectual and cultural exchanges to foster deeper ties.

The Brazilian scholar also reflected on Chinese modernization, noting that it serves as a valuable example for other Global South nations. China’s success, he said, stemmed from carefully studying Western industrialization models, engaging in dialogue, critically analyzing foreign experiences, and building a development path that aligns with its sovereign goals.

“China’s people-centered development model, its leadership in innovation, and its heavy investment in education make it a country of unmatched dynamism,” Carvalho said, noting the contrast between China’s peaceful development agenda and the United States’ policies of war, division, and sanctions.

Carvalho concluded by discussing the growing importance of BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in global governance. He called BRICS “the phenomenon of the 21st century,” highlighting its potential to reshape international relations by promoting collaboration among Global South countries.

As the China-LAC human rights roundtable opens new doors for cooperation, the event marks a significant step toward strengthening the partnership between China and Latin American nations, grounded in shared values of peace, development, and respect for sovereignty.