BEIJING: China and Colombia elevated their relations to a strategic partnership on Wednesday as the two countries vowed to deepen bilateral cooperation and contribute to world peace and development.
President Xi Jinping and visiting Colombian President Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego announced the upgrading of the countries’ ties during their talks in Beijing. Petro started a three-day state visit to China on Tuesday, his first to the country since taking office last year.
During the talks, Xi hailed China-Colombia ties, saying that bilateral relations have withstood the tests of international changes and maintained a good momentum of development.
The two sides understand and support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, and cooperation in various fields has been solidly promoted and the two peoples’ friendship has been strengthened, Xi said.
The establishment of a strategic partnership between China and Colombia is the result of long-term efforts by people from all walks of life in both countries, as well as an embodiment of mutual trust and win-win cooperation, he said, adding that the partnership needs to be cherished and continuously enhanced by both sides.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, China was the first country to send vaccines to Colombia. In 2021, in recognition of China’s help in fighting the pandemic, Xi was invited to give a speech, via video link, to the people of Colombia.
Chinese imports from Colombia have risen significantly in the last few years, with China becoming the South American nation’s second-biggest trading partner after the United States. In 2022, bilateral trade in goods amounted to $22.6 billion, up 13.4 percent year-on-year.
While briefing the Colombian president about China’s modernization process, Xi emphasized that China supports Colombia’s independent exploration of a development path that suits its national conditions and also supports the country’s peace process.
He said that China’s high-quality development and modernization will bring new development opportunities to Colombia and other countries. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
