Update: Xi holds talks with Colombian president, elevating ties to strategic partnership

BEIJING, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Colombian President Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Wednesday.

The two heads of state announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.

Xi pointed out that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 43 years ago, bilateral relations between China and Colombia have stood the test of international changes and maintained a sound momentum of development.

He said the two sides have shown mutual understanding and support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, made solid progress in cooperation across the board, and constantly deepened friendship between the two peoples.

The establishment of the strategic partnership is the result of the long-term efforts of all sectors of the two countries, and also a natural manifestation of mutual trust and cooperation between the two sides, Xi noted, adding that such a result should be cherished by both sides and continuously enriched and developed.

"China is willing to work with Colombia to promote the China-Colombia strategic partnership to better benefit the two peoples and inject positive energy into world peace and development," he said.

Xi said China supports Colombia's independent exploration of a development path suited to its national conditions, supports the peace process in Colombia, hopes that Colombia can realize comprehensive, lasting and sustainable peace at an early date, and believes that China's high-quality development and modernization process will bring new development opportunities to Colombia and other countries.

China-Colombia relations are based on equality, mutual benefit and win-win results, Xi said, adding that Colombia is welcome to join the big family of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) at an early date to achieve common development and prosperity.

Xi called on the two sides to make good use of the mixed economic and trade committee mechanism, optimize bilateral trade structure, and strengthen cooperation in information, communications, digital economy and other fields. China encourages more high-quality Colombian products to enter the Chinese market, he added.

He also called for joint efforts to strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and strengthen bilateral law enforcement cooperation, expressing hope that Colombia can better ensure the safety of Chinese citizens, enterprises and institutions in the country.

As developing countries, China and Colombia should strengthen communication and coordination in international affairs to safeguard the common interests of developing countries and international fairness and justice, Xi said.

Xi also said China attaches great importance to developing relations with Latin America and the Caribbean, and is willing to continue to support the regional integration process in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Petro said Colombia is ready to synergize its geographical advantage and its development strategies with the BRI, and strengthen cooperation in infrastructure and clean energy.

Colombia is willing to maintain communication with China on the Palestinian-Israeli issue, among others, and push for a solution to stop the war and cool down the situation as soon as possible, said Petro, adding that Colombia welcomes the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by Xi, and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China within multilateral mechanisms.

After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents.

The two sides issued a joint statement on the establishment of the strategic partnership.