China will extend its visa-free policy to nationals of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay, putting some of Latin America's largest economies on equal footing with many European and Asian countries as it sought stronger ties with the region.

China will allow visa-free entry for nationals of five Latin American countries for one year to boost closer connections with the region.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has formalized his country’s entry into China’s Belt and Road Initiative, or New Silk Road, a sprawling geoeconomic development project that already includes over 140 countries.

President Xi Jinping vowed on Tuesday to boost China's footprint in Latin America and the Caribbean with a new $9 billion credit line and fresh infrastructure investment, although Brazil warned the region not to become overly reliant on foreign funding.

China is allowing visa-free entry for citizens of five Latin American countries, aiming to strengthen ties with the region. Brazilians, Argentinians, Chileans, Peruvians, and Uruguayans can enter for up to 30 days without a visa starting June 1 for a one-year trial.

As Chinese consumers develop a growing appetite for high-quality imported goods, Latin American and Caribbean products, from Chilean cherries to Brazilian orange juice and Panamanian coffee, are flowing to China.

Beijing joins regional bloc Celac in backing free trade and ‘more democratic’ international system amid the tussle for influence with US.

China is now Latin America's second-largest trading partner, and the region has become the second-largest destination for Chinese investment abroad. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, more than 200 infrastructure projects have been implemented across Latin America and the Caribbean, creating more than 1 million jobs.