At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, President of the Republic of Ecuador Daniel Roy-Gilchrist Noboa Azin will pay a state visit to China from August 16 to 23, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on Friday.

Ecuador is an important Latin American country, and China and Ecuador are comprehensive strategic partners, the spokesperson said, adding that over recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Ecuador relations have maintained a sound momentum of growth. 

The two sides have signed a document on Belt and Road cooperation and a free trade agreement; practical cooperation in various areas has been fruitful; and the friendship between the peoples has been deepening, the spokesperson noted.

The upcoming visit will be President Noboa's first state visit to China.

During the visit, President Xi will hold talks with Noboa, while Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee Zhao Leji will meet with him respectively, according to the spokesperson.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-Ecuador comprehensive strategic partnership.

China hopes the visit will help further consolidate political mutual trust between the two countries, carry forward the traditional friendship, and achieve new progress in the comprehensive strategic partnership for the benefit of the two peoples, the spokesperson said.