The 20th-anniversary celebration of the Latin America Bureau of the China International Communications Group (CICG) Center for the Americas took place in Mexico City on November 8.
The event, themed “Enhancing Understanding Between China and Mexico, Promoting Friendly Cooperation Between China and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC),” was jointly hosted by the CICG Center for the Americas and the Library of Mexico. Nearly 100 distinguished guests from both China and Mexico participated in the celebration.
In his video speech, CICG President Du Zhanyuan highlighted the mission of the Latin America Bureau over the past 20 years. He emphasized its role in fostering friendship between China, Mexico and the broader LAC region, as well as promoting cultural exchange and mutual understanding. Du reflected on how the bureau has witnessed and contributed to the development of China-Mexico and China-LAC relations, along with the growing bonds between their people.
Du further noted that the bureau’s achievements and successes are the result of the collective support from a wide range of partners, readers and individuals committed to strengthening China-Mexico and China-LAC relations. As the bureau stands at a new historical juncture, Du expressed his hope for continued innovation and expanded cooperation to help build a shared future for China and LAC countries, and to “work together toward an even brighter tomorrow.”
Chinese Ambassador to Mexico Zhang Run delivers a speech at the event on November 8 (JUAN CARLOS AGUILAR)
In his speech, Chinese Ambassador to Mexico Zhang Run congratulated the Latin America Bureau on its two decades in Mexico and emphasized the importance of reading about and better understanding today’s China in this new context.
Zhang underscored the role of the bureau as a key bridge, facilitating communication and mutual understanding, and providing Mexican audiences with essential insights into China. He also shared that he personally reads every issue of China Hoy, a Spanish-language monthly, especially this year, finding it a valuable resource. The magazine is published by the CICG Center for the Americas and distributed in Mexico by the bureau.
Ambassador Zhang expressed his hope that the bureau will take its 20th anniversary as a new starting point, continue to tell China’s stories well, make the voice of China heard and contribute to mutual understanding and learning between China, Mexico and the wider LAC region.
José Leyva, Director of the Library of Mexico, recalled in his keynote speech that, five years ago, a Chinese Book Center was established in the library at the initiative of the Latin America Bureau. Today, both the Library of Mexico and the Vasconcelos Library have formed partnerships with embassies from over 15 countries, each modeled after the Chinese Book Center.
Alberto Villa, a Mexican congressman, said that he has been a loyal reader of China Hoy for many years. He noted that Mexico and China have far more in common than many might assume, emphasizing that geographical distance and language differences are not barriers between the two nations.
Former Mexican Ambassador to China Sergio Ley remarked that China Hoy has become a window for Spanish-speaking readers to learn about the most diverse topics related to China’s history, culture, traditions, social, technological and economic transformations, as well as the challenges and progress of the People’s Republic of China. The magazine consistently upholds high standards of responsibility, objectivity, professionalism and international perspective, Ley added.
Guest speakers (from left to right: Alberto Villa, José Leyva, Zhang Run and Sergio Ley) and Li Yafang (right), President of the CICG Center for the Americas, take a group photo at the event on November 8 (JUAN CARLOS AGUILAR)
In her keynote speech, Li Yafang, President of the CICG Center for the Americas, recalled the founding of the Latin America Bureau in 2004, just three years after China had joined the World Trade Organization—a pivotal moment when China was intensifying its openness to the world and accelerating its integration into the global economy. The decision to base the bureau in Mexico, she noted, reflects a strong commitment to China-Mexico relations, a deep respect for the friendship between the two nations and an optimistic outlook on their shared future.
Li highlighted that, over the course of 20 years, the bureau has established a solid presence in Mexico, fostering strong communication with Mexican governmental bodies, universities, media outlets and think tanks. Looking ahead, the bureau aims to deepen its roots in Mexico, leveraging its two decades of influence and reputation in the LAC region to actively contribute to cultural exchange. It aspires to become the center for the CICG’s cultural engagement across LAC countries and the wider Americas.
Li Yafang awards the title of Honorary Staff Member to Gabriela Cedillo at the event on November 8 (JUAN CARLOS AGUILAR)
Li then presented Gabriela Cedillo, who has dedicated 20 years of service to the Latin America Bureau, with the title of Honorary Staff Member. In an emotional speech, Cedillo reflected on the challenging early days of the bureau’s establishment two decades ago, paid tribute to the remarkable contributions of the late bureau chief Wu Yongheng, and expressed her high hopes for the bureau’s future growth and impact.
Guest speakers (from left to right: Amparo Grijalva, Mauro Jiménez, José Luis, Denise Morales, Teodoro Rentería Arroyave and Nicanor Ramírez) share their stories about the bureau or the China Hoy magazine with the audience at the event on November 8 (JUAN CARLOS AGUILAR)
Other speakers including Amapola Grijalva, representative of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in Mexico, Mauro Jiménez, editor of the Macroeconomía magazine, Teodoro Rentería Arroyave, head of the Federation of Associations of Mexican Journalists, José Luis, President of Club Primera Plana, Héctor Aguilera, President of the Mexico-China Friendship Enterprises and Cities Association, Denise Morales, President of the Global Diplomacy Leadership Foundation, and Nicanor Ramírez, an engineer and a devoted reader of China Hoy for 50 years, all recounted their unique connection to the bureau and the magazine.
Performers showcase traditional Chinese costumes and stage dragon and lion dances at the event on November 8 (JUAN CARLOS AGUILAR)
At the event, the Mulan Art Troupe from the Mexican Chinese Women’s Federation dazzled the audience with a graceful display of traditional Chinese costumes. The performance was complemented by dragon and lion dances from the Chinese Community in Mexico, which were met with great enthusiasm and applause from attendees.
Participants listen to speeches at the event on November 8 (JUAN CARLOS AGUILAR)
The Latin America Bureau of the CICG Center for the Americas was established in Mexico City in 2004. It is responsible for the distribution of China Hoy in the LAC region, and promoting the distribution of foreign language books published by CICG. In recent years, the bureau has also focused on the development of social media platforms, organized cultural exchange activities and continued to drive collaborative communication initiatives.
