The Outstanding Diplomat Medal displayed at the Embassy of the Republic of Colombia in China Photo: Li Hao/GT

Two ambassadors to China who were awarded the Outstanding Diplomat Medal shared with the Global Times their feelings of receiving the honor, as well as their observation of Chinese modernization, noting China's experience offers valuable reference to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region. 

On May 18, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs held the First Presentation Ceremony for the Outstanding Diplomat Medal in Beijing in recognition of their outstanding contributions to promoting friendship and cooperation between China and other countries. This is the first event of its kind held in China.

Sergio Fausto Cabrera Cárdenas, ambassador of Colombia to China Photo: Li Hao/GT

Sergio Fausto Cabrera Cárdenas, ambassador of Colombia to China, and former Uruguayan Ambassador to China Juan Fernando Lugris Rodriguez, were among the eight honorees of the award. 

Cabrera told the Global Times that he has been deeply moved and really appreciates the recognition. 

"China is a very important country in my life - a country I have always held close to my heart - and over the years, I have consistently strived to contribute to the bilateral relationship between our two countries," said Ambassador Cabrera.

Cabrera then told the Global Times his story with China. He got to know China many years ago. "I first came to China when I was 13 - more than 60 years ago. It was a very different country back then; it [China] had no diplomatic relations with Colombia. Witnessing China's transformation has been a remarkable experience for me," he recalled. 

Seeing how an under-developed country became a strong power in these 60 years is a very, very important example for countries like Colombia, and for all the countries of Latin America.

China, through careful planning, under the leadership of the Communist Party China, has achieved such significant development, Cabrera said. "It is a great honor that efforts have be recognized, the effort we have made over the years by all the diplomats served in China to build a strong and solid bilateral relationship." 

Talking about inspiration from China in development for LAC countries, he said that the planning, the collective efforts, the unity and patriotic spirit are "inspiring for us," for Latin America, and specifically Colombia. 

As for why it makes sense for LAC countries to cooperate with China, Cabrera reasoned that partnering with China is a great opportunity, "because it is a country that is not only looking to do business; it is a country interested in shared development and finding paths toward a more just world."

The Global South development cooperation allows us to envision a much more balanced world and prosperous future for our regions, the Colombia ambassador said. 

Regarding the relationship between China and LAC countries, he said numerous possibilities for cooperation and development are envisioned across many areas, including investment, trade, social development, and cultural exchange.

The ambassador then compared two different approaches in cooperation with the LAC countries, one adopted by the West in the past and one by China. 

"China is attentive to and aspires for our development - quite the opposite of what has happened for centuries, where powerful colonizers used us solely as a source of resources and raw materials, without caring about our development and, conversely, trying to keep us underdeveloped, so that the developed countries could continuously manipulate our resources and our nations. China is different. It wants both sides to prosper, by developing the [LAC] regions," according to Cabrera. 

China is truly interested in the development of the LAC and the Belt and Road Initiative is a prime example of this. China seeks to revive the transportation networks of all our countries to contribute to making international trade fairer and more balanced than it has been over the centuries, Cabrera said. 

In that regard, all the mechanisms China has proposed - the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative - have very positive effects, he said.

"When problems must be resolved through cooperation, understanding and development, I believe China is proposing a path that will enable a better world," Cabrera said.  

Former Uruguayan Ambassador to China Juan Fernando Lugris Rodriguez Photo: Dong Feng/GT

Another honoree former Uruguayan Ambassador to China Juan Fernando Lugris Rodriguez told the Global Times that he was happily surprised when he learned about receiving award. 

"It was an important recognition not only to my 10 years of work in China, but also to the work of all the diplomats here, as well as four consulate generals around China, including many Chinese staff that are always hardworking and supportive. So I received it on behalf of my country," Lugris said. 

The former ambassador is now serving as director of the General Directorate of Culture at Uruguay's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Lugris said that Uruguay and China have jointly achieved a lot in recent years, including upgrading bilateral ties to comprehensive strategic partnership in February 2026. 

"The value of the medal is not only for my own career. It also underscored that countries that are very different and distant can really develop deep, meaningful relations," Lugris said, noting that the two countries can further promote trade relations, people-to-people exchanges, jointly safeguard peace and stability, realizing win-win achievements. 

In the 10 years of his diplomatic career, Lugris witnessed bilateral relations going deeper and stronger to encompass several fields, featuring more political trust, more dialogue in various fields. 

Lugris also recalled his attendance to China's "two sessions" during the course of 10 years and to see the implementation of the five-year plans, which was "one of the most fascinating parts of my work to understand how China works," he said. 

The five-year plans are prepared with incredible discussions across the whole society, academia, think-tanks, different experts and the planning process is so efficient and effective, Lugris reflected. 

"It's also very reassuring for countries like Uruguay to continue to read China's commitment to opening-up and a multilateral system. In addition, China's emphasis on environmental protection, green economy, sustainable development and combating climate change are a fundamental part of the development plans. This is very good news for the whole planet," he stressed. 

Lugris also said that China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) will have a clear impact on the economy of Uruguay and the life of Uruguayans, and it has already opened an immense opportunity for LAC countries to work closely together. 

The diplomat also said Chinese modernization has a huge influence in science, technology, research and innovation. "I think every single nation in the world should pay more attention to these aspects. Countries that invest in these fields are going to succeed in today's world. China's priority in this area is something that we can all learn from,'' Lugris said.