China, Uruguay mark 30 years of diplomatic ties

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China is willing to work with Uruguay for much more friendly cooperation, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Saturday.

President Xi made the remarks in a congratulatory message to his Uruguayan counterpart Tabare Vazquez. The two presidents exchanged congratulatory messages to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with his Uruguayan counterpart Tabare Vazquez during their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, October 18, 2016. /Xinhua Photo

China and Uruguay established diplomatic relations on February 3, 1988. During Uruguayan President Vazquez's state visit to China in October 2016, the two countries agreed to build a strategic partnership based on respect, equality and mutual benefit.

Bilateral trade in the first half of 2017 reached 1.75 billion US dollars, according to the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry. China's main exports to Uruguay include clothing, hats, shoes, mobile phones, motorbikes and air conditioners. Meanwhile, China is the top importer of Uruguayan beef, paper pulp and soybeans.

China is the largest importer of Uruguayan beef. /VCG Photo

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Uruguay last month after attending the Second Ministerial Meeting of the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in Chile.

In his meeting with Wang, the Uruguayan president said his country "strongly hopes" to push for a free trade agreement with China and is willing to actively take part in the Belt and Road Initiative.

"The bilateral ties between Uruguay and China are now at a historical high" after 30 years of diplomatic ties, said Vazquez.

Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez (R) meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Montevideo, Uruguay, January 24, 2018. /VCG Photo

Proposed by Xi in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes.

China is also stepping up efforts to enhance cooperation with Latin American countries under the framework of the Initiative.

(With input from Xinhua)