2016年CRI China, Ecuador lift ties to comprehensive strategic partnership

Chinese President Xi Jinping has met with Ecuador's Rafael Correa in Quito amidst the growing bilateral 1 ties between the two countries.

In his talks with Correa, Xi Jinping has described Ecuador is an important country in Latin America.

The Chinese president has gone on to say China-Ecuador relations have now entered a key phase, where cooperation between the two countries is of greater importance to both sides.

"Not long ago President Correa and I had a cordial and fruitful conversation. We reached wide consensus 2. We agreed to elevate bilateral relations between China and Ecuador to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership 3 and to use this as a foundation to further deepen mutual 4 strategic trust and guide bilateral cooperation in all areas."

Last year the two leaders signed agreements to work towards closer trade and strategic ties during Rafael Correa's visit to Beijing.

Correa was on-hand to welcome Xi Jinping as he arrived in Quito.

Following the signing of a new series of bilateral agreements, Correa says this kind of cooperation is beneficial for the economic development of his country.

"Today, thanks to this cooperation with China, particularly financially, Ecuador is more sovereign. It has better capabilities 5 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 , two in strategic production and one concerning cooperation from the earthquake last April."

China is now Ecuador's third-largest trading partner, with two-way trade topping 4 billion US dollars last year.

Xi Jinping says he expects more cooperation in the future in areas such as investment and technology.

"We are satisfied with the stable and fast cooperation between the two countries and we believe the two sides are highly complementary in terms of trade and finance. And there is a huge potential for future cooperation. We have agreed to deepen collaboration 6 in all areas and expand cooperation in trade, finance, energy and infrastructure 7 construction. Furthermore we will enhance cooperation in capacity and investment. China is willing to share technological 8 achievements with Ecuador and work together to lift the bilateral ties to a new level."

This is the Chinese President's third visit to Latin America since he took office in 2013, which observers say highlights the region's importance to China.

After Ecuador, Xi Jinping will head to Peru for this weekend's meeting of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders.