Xi Jinping: China will align Belt and Road cooperation with Bolivia's 2025 development plan

China will align Belt and Road cooperation with Bolivia's 2025 development plan and expand cooperation in multiple areas, Chinese President Xi Jinping said during a meeting with Bolivian President Luis Arce on the sidelines of the 19th G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Tuesday. 

In recent years, the relationship between the two countries has maintained a positive momentum of development, Xi said, adding that both sides have firmly supported each other on issues involving their respective core interests and major concerns.

He said the Belt and Road Initiative has yielded fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both nations.

China supports Bolivia in independently exploring a development path that suits its national conditions and is willing to take next year's 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to promote the two countries' historical friendship, deepen strategic mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and elevate the China-Bolivia strategic partnership to a new level, Xi said.

The Chinese president called on both sides to strengthen exchanges between governments, legislative bodies, political parties and local entities, and deepen the exchange of governance and development experiences.

Cooperation in infrastructure construction, high-altitude agriculture, green development and the digital economy should be expanded, Xi said.

The two nations should deepen collaboration within multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations and BRICS, promoting unity and self-reliance among countries in the Global South and advancing common development, he added.

China supports the integration of Latin America and is willing to work with Bolivia to strengthen the China-CELAC Forum mechanism, Xi said.

Arce said the brotherly friendship between Bolivia and China is profound. He expressed gratitude for China's assistance in helping Bolivia overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and promote its economic and social development.

Under Xi's leadership, China's modernization has achieved remarkable results, providing important inspiration and guidance for the development of countries like Bolivia, he added.

Arce congratulated Xi on the recent inauguration of Peru's Chancay Port and expressed Bolivia's willingness to jointly celebrate next year's 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

Bolivia seeks to further deepen the strategic partnership with China, strengthen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure connectivity, support its national development, and improve the well-being of its people, he said.

Bolivia also looks forward to enhancing collaboration with China within multilateral mechanisms like BRICS and the China-CELAC Forum, Arce said.