On July 4, 2006, the Institute of Latin American Studies （ILAS） held a seminar celebrating its 45th anniversary. Present at it were ninety scholars, government officials and reporters. Mr. Li Shenming, Deputy Secretary General of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, sent a congratulatory letter, paying high tribute to ILAS fruitful research during those forty-five years on Latin American issue. Professor Zheng Bingwen, Head of ILAS, reviewed the ILAS history briefly in his speech and pointed out that ILAS, as the only institution in China engaged in a comprehensive study of Latin America, has been playing a key role in promoting China’s understanding of Latin America and exerting a remarkable influence on China’s foreign policy on Latin America. Four ILAS researchers were invited to deliver a speech on Latin American political, economic, social, and diplomatic issues and another four retired ILAS researchers, to make a remark on their speech. Nine senior Chinese scholars of great prestige were specially invited as ILAS honorary research fellows.