The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) hosted its first international academic forum Tuesday, titled "Latin America in 2004-2005."
  
The forum was attended by Cheng Siwei, a vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) and president of the association for the friendship between China and Latin America.
   
More than 100 Chinese scholars and envoys from Cuba, Mexico, Chile and Argentina attended the forum, during which participants shared their views on the political and economic situation in Latin America, while China's fast-developing economy has helped increase Chinese products and investments in the region.
   
More and more Latin American countries see China's development as an opportunity instead of a threat, the participants said.
   
There will be similar symposiums on Latin America at the future CASS forums, said a spokesman of China's top academic house on social sciences.

(Xinhua News Agency March 2, 2005)