Editor's note: Decision Makers is a global platform for decision makers to share their insights on events shaping today's world. Carlos H. Larrea D. is the ambassador of Ecuador to China. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

In 2022, the 15th China-Latin America and the Caribbean Business Summit will be held in Guayaquil, Ecuador. It is a well-organized connection between our private sector and the leading business decision makers in China as well as a mechanism for the Latin American and Caribbean region to effectively integrate its economic platform with China's new approach.

China is the second largest trade partner of Ecuador, and Ecuador is China's 10th largest trade partner in Latin America. Ecuador is a country of opportunities, with safe public policies and a solid legal framework for investments. It has the greatest biodiversity per square kilometer.

Ecuador also has a very diverse export offer. Even if you leave out petroleum, you will see that we have earned a leadership position in many international markets with products such as bananas, shrimps, cacao and flowers. They are our traditional export products where we have worked over many years to gain a strong position in China. We are fortunate to have this base of solid export products. However, our challenge at the moment is to diversify with new goods and services.

A demonstration of the pragmatism of our bilateral relationship is, for example, how both countries have sat at the negotiating table to find mutually convenient scenarios that allow the entry, without restrictions, of our shrimp, Ecuador's flagship product, which is key in the national economy and in the generation of employment.

Technical meetings are being held between the authorities of both countries and we are taking even more rigorous measures so that the Chinese consumer feels safe. We have intensified strict quality, traceability and safety controls and we have vaccinated the personnel who handle the exports, especially to China.

We have reinforced the new regulatory landscape, ensuring that it can't be easily changed on future political whims. By joining international alliances and treaties, we have guaranteed that future Ecuadorian governments will respect international investors' rights.

In addition to our laws, there are also historical international agreements. Ecuador shows a new level of financial responsibility and transparency. For international investors, it's a strong sign that Ecuador is back as a trustworthy and serious member of the global community.

In addition to the economic and commercial vision of the bilateral relationship, President Guillermo Lasso has especially recognized the support and leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.

Millions of doses of Chinese vaccines for COVID-19 have arrived in our country, to which a new supply of another vaccine by another Chinese company has been added. China is the main supplier of the national 9/100 Plan. Started in May 2021, the program is ensuring nine million people in Ecuador get vaccinated within 100 days.

President Lasso visited the Chinese ambassador to Ecuador, Chen Guoyou, recently in a unique gesture of friendship to personally deliver a letter for President Xi to congratulate him on the 100 years of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

I had the honor to participate in the official events convened in Beijing.

Those of us who were present at the inauguration of the Museum of the CPC in Beijing and at the "Great Journey" show in the National Stadium in Beijing, also known as Bird's Nest, were impressed with the informative, artistic and technological display.

It reviewed important stages in history, from the victory in the civil war and the creation of the People's Republic of China in 1949 to the reform and opening up process begun in the late 1970s, the Chinese "economic miracle," eradication of poverty and the anti-pollution policies of recent years. It also included the space missions, technological innovation and the fight against the pandemic.

The most impressive event was undoubtedly the celebration in Beijing's Tian'anmen Square. In Xi's words, China has become a moderately prosperous society at all levels, which represents the achievement of the First Centenary goal, that is, a historic resolution to the problem of extreme poverty and creating a moderately prosperous society by 2021, the first centenary of the CPC. 

Now it is moving forward with determination toward the Second Centenary goal: transforming China into a great modern socialist country in all respects by 2049, the centenary of the People's Republic of China.

Ecuador's pragmatic outlook under new president (Part I)

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