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Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a series of bilateral partnership documents with his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, on industrial investment, trade, digital economy and other areas

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Ken Ishii / POOL / AFP - El presidente de China, Xi Jinping, le da la mano al presidente de Colombia, Gustavo Petro
Ken Ishii / POOL / AFP - China's President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Colombia's President Gustavo Petro.
Agencia EFE
25/10/23

Chinese President Xi Jinping today told his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, that having elevated bilateral relations to the category of strategic partnership is "the result of long-term efforts", as well as "a reflection of the mutual trust between the two".

Following talks in Beijing today, the two leaders signed a series of bilateral cooperation documents on industrial investment, trade, digital economy, green development, agriculture, science and technology, education, culture and other fields, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement, without providing further details.

"Our relations have always maintained a good momentum of development. The two sides understand and support each other on issues involving each other's core interests and main concerns. Cooperation in various fields has made solid progress," Xi said during the meeting. 

He added that the establishment of a strategic partnership between China and Colombia is "the result of long-standing efforts and the reflection of mutual trust and cooperation between the two sides".

"It is necessary for both sides to cherish it and continuously enrich and develop it," he said.

The Chinese leader also emphasised that Beijing supports Bogotá in exploring "an independent development path that suits its national conditions".

"China supports the Colombian peace process and hopes that Colombia will soon achieve a comprehensive, lasting and sustainable peace," he said. 

"The two sides should optimise their bilateral trade structure and strengthen cooperation in information communications, digital economy and other fields," added Xi, who pledged "the entry of more Colombian products into the Chinese market."

"We can also share opportunities for 'green' development and strengthen cultural exchanges, strengthen bilateral cooperation in law enforcement or in areas such as drug control and combating transnational crimes."

Xi also congratulated Colombia on assuming the rotating presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in 2025.

"China attaches great importance to the development of China-Latin America relations and we will work to make next year's 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-CELAC Forum a great opportunity and promote the long-term stability and development of China-Latin America relations," he added. 

For his part, Petro said, according to the statement distributed by the Chinese authorities, that Colombia is willing to "align its regional advantages and development strategies with the New Silk Roads initiative and strengthen cooperation in infrastructure, clean energy and other fields".

"We welcome Chinese companies to invest in Colombia, but we seek a more balanced development of bilateral trade relations," he said.

Petro said Colombia is willing to maintain communication with China "on the situation between Palestine and Israel" and other issues of international concern, and to "strive to find a solution to end the war as soon as possible". 

The Colombian president, who has been on an official visit to China since Tuesday, also met today with officials from the China Harbour Engineering Company, which is in charge of the construction of the first line of the Bogotá Metro.

The construction of the Bogotá Metro is the subject of a controversy between the president and the mayor of the capital, Claudia López, and has been the subject of years of controversy due to the different positions of the mayors in office regarding its construction.

After the contact with the companies, Petro made a wreath at the Mao Zedong Mausoleum, located in Tiananmen Square. 

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