On October 7, 2016 local time, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who was paying an official visit to Colombia, jointly met the press in Bogota with Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar of Colombia. Wang Yi expressed that my visit to Colombia at the critical moment of its peace process is to send out an explicit and clear signal that as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a good friend of Colombia, China will continue to firmly support Colombia's peace process.

Wang Yi said that although the peace process has encountered some twists and turns, putting an end to the war and achieving peace are the general trend and the aspiration of the people. As the premise of development, peace conforms to the fundamental interests of the Colombian people. It is believed that all sides in Colombia could reach consensus. It is gratifying that ceasefire still lasts in Colombia and all sides are willing to find practical and effective ways to realize peace through peaceful consultation. During my friendly meeting and in-depth exchanges with President Juan Manuel Santos, I can strongly sense his confidence and determination in realizing peace. I would like to congratulate him on winning the Nobel Peace Prize today. China advocates that all hotspot issues should be eventually resolved through peaceful negotiations. Violence cannot solve problems, but bring more damages and even hatred. China actively participates in the settlement of international hotspot issues, including mediating domestic conflicts of some countries. China will make constructive efforts and play a positive role in promoting the peace process in Colombia within its capacity and under the framework of the UN Security Council.

Wang Yi pointed out that as an important Latin American country, Colombia is also a representative emerging economy. With abundant resources, long-standing culture and hard-working people, Colombia boasts a promising development prospect. China always views bilateral friendly relations from a strategic height, and is willing to deepen practical cooperation in various fields with Colombia, so as to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. China stands ready to assist Colombia's industrialization process and improve the country's independent development ability through cooperation in industry and investment. China-Colombia cooperation, as a part of the South-South cooperation and mutual assistance and support between friends, does not target any third-party, but aims to jointly maintain and expand the common interests of the two countries.

Wang Yi noted that China will carry out close communication with Colombia and effectively launch the feasibility study on a China-Colombia free trade agreement at an early date. China is ready to work with Colombia and other countries to jointly safeguard the global free trade framework and oppose protectionism in any form. Both China and Colombia are countries with time-honored civilizations. The two sides should enhance cultural exchanges and mutual learning in civilizations, so as to jointly promote culture development and civilization progress of the world.