Xi calls for deepening cooperation with Ecuador

President Xi Jinping called on China and Ecuador to better align their development strategies, advance Belt and Road cooperation and deepen collaboration in fields ranging from energy and infrastructure to green development and artificial intelligence, during talks with visiting Ecuadorian President Daniel Roy-Gilchrist Noboa Azin in Beijing on Tuesday.

Noboa arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a state visit that will run through Aug 23. It is his first state visit to China and his second trip to the country as president.

Following the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of cooperation documents covering green industries, economic and trade cooperation, the digital economy and people's livelihoods.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-Ecuador comprehensive strategic partnership, which was established during Xi's state visit to Ecuador in November 2016.

Xi said China has always viewed its relations with the Latin American country from a strategic and long-term perspective, regardless of changes in the international landscape.

"China is ready to work with Ecuador to take bilateral relations to new heights and deliver greater benefits to the two peoples," he said.

Xi called on the two countries to consolidate political mutual trust and continue to understand and support each other on issues involving their respective core interests and major concerns.

China respects and supports Ecuador in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions and is willing to strengthen exchanges between the two countries' governments, legislatures and political parties and share experience in governance as both countries pursue their respective paths toward modernization, he said.

Economic and trade ties between China and Ecuador have expanded steadily since their free trade agreement took effect on May 1, 2024. In the first half of this year, bilateral trade value reached $9.831 billion, up 20.1 percent year-on-year. China remained the largest destination for Ecuador's non-oil exports.

"This reflects both the benefits generated by the bilateral free trade agreement and the potential of China's superlarge market," Xi said.

He urged the two sides to further unlock the agreement's potential, so that more businesses and consumers could benefit.

China is also willing to work with Ecuador in healthcare, poverty reduction, and disaster prevention and mitigation in support of Ecuador's national development, Xi said. He also called for stronger exchanges in education, culture, youth and sports and between local governments, along with steps to facilitate travel and deepen friendship between the two peoples.

Noboa said China is an important partner and friend of Ecuador and that bilateral relations have entered a new stage, delivering tangible benefits to both peoples.

He said Ecuador is ready to deepen political mutual trust with China, support China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and respect its position on the Taiwan question.

Ecuador is willing to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with China in trade, finance, mining, renewable energy, science and technology, and culture, Noboa said. The country also seeks to expand its exports to China and welcomes more Chinese companies to invest and operate in Ecuador, contributing to improvements in people's livelihoods and the country's development, he added.

The two leaders also exchanged views on developments in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Xi said China has always maintained that the status of the Latin American and Caribbean region as a zone of peace should not be shaken.

The course of development and revitalization of Latin American and Caribbean countries should not be disrupted, and the right of countries in the region to independently choose their cooperation partners should not be interfered with, he said.

China supports Latin American countries in upholding independence and self-reliance, pursuing foreign cooperation based on their national interests, and safeguarding regional peace and stability, Xi added.

Noboa said Ecuador values China's position and role and is ready to remain a good friend of China on the other side of the Pacific.