- Title: China's Xi visits Ecuador to boost bilateral relations
- Date: 18th November 2016
- Summary: ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** PRESIDENTS LEAVE NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 3rd December 2016 03:23
- Keywords: China Ecuador bilateral relations President Xi Jinping President Rafael Correa
- Location: QUITO, ECUADOR
- City: QUITO, ECUADOR
- Country: Ecuador
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00358YZSCL
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Chinese President Xi Jinping was in Ecuador on Thursday (November 17) in a historic visit to the Andean nation to boost bilateral ties amidst growing economic and cultural ties between the two allies.
President Rafael Correa welcomed Xi as he arrived in Quito. In recent years, the two leaders have cemented close ties, including the development of the Coco Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant which will be inaugurated by Xi. The project has been backed up financially by the Asian nation.
After China and Ecuador signed in 20 new bilateral agreements, Correa told media in Quito that such cooperation has allowed Ecuador to become a more sovereign nation.
"Today, thanks to this cooperation with China, particularly financially, Ecuador is more sovereign. It has better capabilities and resources, it is better prepared to build a more just and prosperous country for everything. During President Xi Jinping's visit we have signed eleven agreements, four financial, one political, one in communication, one in culture, a very important one regarding extradition, two in strategic production and one concerning cooperation from the earthquake last April," he said.
Correa last met Xi in 2015 during an official visit to China where they signed agreements to work towards closer trade.
Over the years, China has become Ecuador's third-largest trading partner with two-way trade reportedly topping $4 billion in 2015.
"Not long ago President Correa and I had a cordial and fruitful conversation. We reached wide consensus. We agreed to elevate bilateral relations between China and Ecuador to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership and to use this as a foundation to further deepen mutual strategic trust and guide bilateral cooperation in all areas," said Xi.
This is the Chinese President's third visit to Latin America since he took office in 2013, highlighting the region's importance to Beijing.
After Ecuador, President Xi will head to Peru for the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders summit. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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