Leaders and officials from Latin America and the Caribbean have descended on Beijing this week for the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum.

Beijing has stepped up economic and political cooperation with Latin American nations in recent years and has urged a united front against US President Donald Trump's recent maelstrom of tariffs.

Addressing leaders on Tuesday, Xi hailed China's ties with the region.

"Although China lies far from the Latin American and Caribbean region, the two sides have a time-honoured history of friendly exchanges," Xi said at the opening ceremony, likening the summit to a "great, sturdy tree".

"Only through unity and cooperation can countries safeguard global peace and stability and promote worldwide development and prosperity," Xi said, condemning "bullying and hegemony" in a thinly veiled reference to the United States.