China and Suriname announced on Wednesday that the two countries would elevate bilateral ties to strategic partnership of cooperation.

The decision was made jointly by Chinese President Xi Jinping and visiting Surinamese President Desire Delano Bouterse in Beijing. This is the South American president's first state visit to China as president.

Suriname was among the first group of countries to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China (PRC), and the two nations have maintained a relationship that features mutual support, understanding and trust over the past 43 years.

The relationship between China and Suriname is now at an important historical stage, Xi pointed out, calling for joint efforts in advancing ties.

Jointly constructing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) should serve as an engine, Xi said.

The Chinese president stressed that his country will continue to support Suriname in preserving its own sovereignty, while speeding up efforts in social and economic development. 

The two sides should deepen cooperation not just in traditional fields like infrastructure, agriculture, fishing, and telecommunication, but also new areas including new energy, digital economy, tourism and circular economy, Xi noted.

We encourage more Chinese companies step out and invest in Suriname, he said, adding that people-to-people exchanges should also be promoted.

Xi called for the two sides to maintain communication in global issues while practicing multilateralism and contributing to an open world economy.

In addition, Xi also shed lights on Latin and Caribbean countries at large. China has long respected the right for Latin American people to independently choose their path of development, he said, adding that his country will continue to support the integration among Latin American countries. 

China is willing to consolidate its cooperation with Latin American countries based on the principle of objectivity and win-win cooperation.

First coming to China in 1997 as a Surinamese presidential envoy, President Bouterse echoed Xi's call for multilateralism, vowing to firmly preserve this mechanism alongside China.

Unilateralism hurts the equality between countries' sovereignty, he said.

Bouterse also touched upon the ongoing Hong Kong protests, which have lasted for six months. "Hong Kong issues are purely China's internal affairs and Suriname firmly opposes any action that interferes in China's internal affairs," he said.

He delivered appreciation for China's assistance in Suriname's social and economic development, hoping to strengthen political mutual trust with China and deepen cooperation on various fronts.

After their meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a joint press communique between the two countries and multiple cooperative deals in plans for jointly constructing the BRI and tourism sector.

Bouterse also met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, where they reached an agreement in strengthening the dialogue on climate change issues.