Diplomats and experts from China and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) recently called for greater efforts to enhance cultural exchanges ranging from sinology and clothing to film and television, so as to contribute to the construction of a China-Latin America community with a shared future.

They made the remarks on Friday at the launch ceremony of the Third Session of Towards a Shared Future: China-LAC Sinology Season in Qingdao, Shandong province, which attracted approximately 100 participants, including diplomats from 15 LAC countries.

The event, organized by the World Sinology Center at the Beijing Language and Culture University and the College of International Education at the Beijing Film Academy, included a seminar, film screenings, a costume display, and a Chinese martial arts performance.

Martin Charles, resident ambassador of Dominica to China and dean of the diplomatic corps of Latin American and Caribbean States in China, said film plays a role in promoting collaboration between the two sides.

He hoped to bring filmmakers together, possibly through a symposium, to develop films focusing on Latin America, the Caribbean, and China. "Future generations will appreciate this, and we have a better understanding of the diversity that exists between our respective peoples," he added.

Cuban Ambassador to China Alberto Blanco Silva said he hoped more people worldwide could visit China firsthand to see its rapid development, social stability, and sense of happiness in its people in order to form a more objective view of the country.

Xu Baofeng, director of the World Sinology Center, said the center plans to leverage sinology and film to narrow the distance between China and Latin America, deepen mutual understanding, and advance more meaningful exchanges between their civilizations.

Launched in 2022 in Qingdao West Coast New Area, the World Sinology Center has connected nearly 5,000 sinologists from over 100 countries, according to data from the center.