Let's begin right here in the capital city where Chinese President Xi Jinping met with his Colombian counterpart Ivan Duque Marquez in Beijing. Economy and technology cooperation dominated the talks. CGTN's Wu Guoxiu reports.

In his first visit to China since taking office last year, Colombian President Duque was received by President Xi Jinping with a welcome ceremony and 21 gun salute.

Next February marks the 40-year anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The two leaders agreed to explore connecting the Belt and Road Initiative with the China-Colombia Initiative. President Duque stressed that it will support both countries' development for the next four decades. Both are committed to upholding multilateralism and free trade. The two Presidents talked about issues of common concern, including the socioeconomic and political crisis in Venezuela.

ZHAO BENTANG, DIRECTOR LATIN AMERICA DEPT., CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY "Both sides hope to see a quick solution to the issue. And it's clear that both sides are against military intervention, and both wish to find a solution through peaceful negotiation and dialogue."

President Xi says China will expand Chinese language teaching programs in Colombia, and invite the country to promote more tourism in China. China will also provide 100 government scholarships in creative industries to Colombia between 2020 and 2022. 12 documents were signed after their talks.

ZHAO BENTANG, DIRECTOR LATIN AMERICA DEPT., CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY "Those documents include the transfer of sentenced persons, economic and technology cooperation, agriculture, investment and trade, transportation, E-commerce, the importing of avocados, 5G and finance."

Pork was another Colombian import up for discussion, which Zhao says China will look into further. Colombian officials also expressed their strong desire to open a direct flight to the Chinese mainland, which China appears willing to work toward.

WU GUOXIU BEIJING "From Shanghai to Beijing, President Duque visited information technology company Baidu, Beijing's new Daxing airport and the Forbidden City. He also attended a business forum in Beijing on Wednesday morning, where the two countries expressed a will to cooperate more on trade, investment and tourism. Wu Guoxiu, CGTN, Beijing."