Former FM: Uruguay admires China's role in multilateralism

"China has contributed to globalization and multilateralism, and Uruguay is also a strong supporter of trade liberalization," Uruguay's former foreign minister, Enrique Iglesias, said at a news conference in Beijing on Monday.

Iglesias served as Uruguay's foreign minister from 1985 to 1988, and promoted the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which occurred on Feb 3, 1988.

"The two sides will work together to push forward bilateral ties to a new high at the 30th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations," the former minister said.

He said Uruguay supports the Belt and Road Initiative and looks forward to taking part as early as possible. This will help Uruguay become a regional logistics and transportation hub, and contribute to their common development and prosperity.

"Uruguay hopes to sign a free trade agreement with China, Uruguay's biggest trade partner," he added.

Uruguay attaches importance to the principle of mutual benefit and reciprocity that China always follows, he said.

The people of Uruguay admire Chinese culture and long to increase people-to-people exchanges with China to promote greater understanding with each other, he added.