On January 7, 2015, President Xi Jinping held talks with President Rafael Correa of Ecuador at the Great Hall of the People. The two heads of state decided to establish China-Ecuador strategic partnership.

Xi Jinping pointed out that we had a fruitful meeting in Brasilia last July, reaching important consensus on the development of bilateral relations and China-Latin America overall cooperation. Relevant departments, enterprises and financial institutions of both sides are implementing the consensus in a timely manner, yielding constant and new progress in bilateral cooperation. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of China-Ecuador diplomatic relationship which is now at the best period in history. Today, we jointly announced to establish bilateral strategic partnership, and this positioning of our relations accurately reflects the level of current bilateral relations and will surely play a better role in guiding the development of bilateral relations.

Xi Jinping put forward 4 proposals regarding the development of China-Ecuador relations. First, enhance mutual trust, continue mutual understanding and support on issues concerning each other’s core interests, and together well direct bilateral relations. Intensify exchanges and cooperation between governments, legislative bodies as well as political parties of the two countries, and exchange and learn each other’s experience on governance and administration of state affairs. Second, give full play to the driving role of financial cooperation, advance cooperation in energy, electricity, mineral resources and infrastructure, actively explore cooperation in agricultural technology, high-tech and new energy, offer more support and convenience to enterprises of the two countries investing and establishing business in each other, and promote balanced development of bilateral trade. Third, earnestly carry out the new round of cultural exchange plans, well organize a series of cultural exchange activities for the 35th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relationship, strengthen exchanges and cooperation between academic institutions and in news, education, sports and other areas, and advance bilateral personnel exchanges and tourism by taking the opportunity of signing the mutual visa exemption agreement for ordinary passport. Fourth, boost cooperation in international organizations, closely coordinate and cooperate with each other in major international affairs and together safeguard overall interests of developing countries.

Xi Jinping appreciated the tremendous work of Ecuador for the success of the China-Latin America and the Caribbean Summit and the preparation of the first ministerial meeting of the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), and expressed his belief that Ecuador will continue playing a positive role for China-Latin America relations and overall cooperation after taking the rotating presidency of the CELAC. I hope that China and the CELAC will ensure the success of the ministerial meeting in the spirit of equality, mutual benefit, openness and inclusiveness, thus to create a good beginning for bilateral overall cooperation.

Rafael Correa expressed that China is a brotherly and friendly country with fascinating time-honored history and culture, and the self-improving and pioneering spirit of the Chinese people is admirable. They are grateful that the Chinese government and people highly value and dedicate to developing cooperation with Ecuador, and they are inspired by such rapid and high-level development of bilateral relations. China offers most financing support to Ecuador and has transferred a large number of technologies to the country. Numerous Chinese enterprises are now participating in constructing various projects in Ecuador, vigorously pushing economic and social reform and development in the country. Ecuador is very delighted to establish strategic partnership with China. Ecuador hopes that both sides strengthen financing cooperation to offer fund support to bilateral practical cooperation, enhance scientific and technological cooperation to train more such personnel for Ecuador and intensify people-to-people and cultural exchanges to provide more convenience for bilateral personnel exchanges. Ecuador will work with China in an endeavor to establish a just and fair international order and facilitate coordination and cooperation in such fields as climate change, food security and health care.

Rafael Correa noted that although China and Latin America are far apart geographically, the CELAC-China Forum creates a new platform for developing bilateral relations and offers important opportunity for bilateral cooperation. Ecuador and other Latin American countries welcome and expect China to take a more active role in their national construction.

Following the talks, the two heads of state together witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperative documents covering personnel exchange facilitation, economy, education, science, technology, finance and other fields. Both sides also issued a joint statement on establishing strategic partnership between China and Ecuador.

Prior to the talks, Xi Jinping held a welcome ceremony for Rafael Correa at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu, Zhang Baowen, Yang Jiechi, Luo Fuhe and others were present.