Xi Jinping urges China, Ecuador to strengthen alignment of development strategies

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday urged China and Ecuador to strengthen the alignment of development strategies and implement the cooperation plan to jointly build the Belt and Road.

The two sides should well implement cooperation projects in energy, minerals, infrastructure construction, finance and other fields, and actively explore cooperation in areas including the digital economy, green development, new energy and artificial intelligence, Xi said during talks with President of the Republic of Ecuador Daniel Roy-Gilchrist Noboa Azín in Beijing.

Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Ecuador, Xi said China has always viewed China-Ecuador relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, regardless of how the international situation may change.

China is ready to work with Ecuador to continuously bring bilateral relations to a new level and better benefit the two peoples, Xi said.

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

China respects and supports Ecuador in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, Xi said, adding that China is ready to enhance exchanges between the two governments, legislative bodies and political parties, as well as exchanges in other fields, and strengthen exchanges of experience in state governance.

The two countries should work together on their respective paths toward modernization, Xi said.

Xi noted that a series of new progress in China-Ecuador relations has benefited from the China-Ecuador free trade agreement and also demonstrated the potential of China's huge market.

The two sides should continue to tap the potential of the free trade agreement and allow the benefits of free trade to reach more enterprises and consumers, Xi added.

China is ready to cooperate with Ecuador in healthcare, poverty alleviation, disaster prevention and reduction, and other areas to support Ecuador's national development, Xi said.

The two sides should also strengthen exchanges in education, culture, youth, sports and between localities, and facilitate people-to-people exchanges to enhance friendship between the two countries, he said.

Noboa said China is an important partner and friend of Ecuador, and hailed Xi as a great leader.

Through joint efforts by both sides, Ecuador-China relations have entered a new stage, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples, Noboa said.

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

Ecuador attaches great importance to cooperation with China and is willing to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, finance, minerals, renewable energy, science and technology, culture and other fields, expand exports to China, and welcome more Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in Ecuador, he said.

Noboa added such efforts will help Ecuador improve people's livelihoods and achieve national development.

The two heads of state also exchanged views on the situation in the Latin American and Caribbean region.

Xi stressed that 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 Latin American and Caribbean countries to independently choose their cooperation partners should not be interfered with.

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 said.

Noboa said Ecuador attaches great importance to China's position and role, and is willing to always be a good friend of China on the other side of the Pacific.

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

Prior to the talks, Xi held a welcome ceremony for Noboa. A welcome banquet was also held for him in the evening.

(With input from Xinhua)