On October 18, 2018, Vice Foreign Minister Qin Gang held the sixth dialogue between China and Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) with Deputy Foreign Minister Ariel Bergamino of Uruguay, the rotating presidency of MERCOSUR, Vice Foreign Minister Ronaldo Costa Filho of Brazil, Vice Foreign Minister Juan Angel Delgadillo of Paraguay, and Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship Javier Arana of Argentina in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay.

The two sides spoke highly of the substantial progress made in China-MERCOSUR relations in recent years, believing that China and MERCOSUR should, on the basis of the existing sound cooperation, deepen mutual understanding and trust, and strengthen policy communication, infrastructure connectivity, thinking innovation and financial guarantee, as well as promote trade facilitation between China and MERCOSUR, and build a broader bridge for people-to-people and cultural exchanges, in a bid to promote China-MERCOSUR cooperation for in-depth and substantial development.

The two sides briefed on their respective domestic trade and economic situations and the conditions of free trade negotiations with other countries, and exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern. Both sides agreed that, under the current situation, China and MERCOSUR should jointly utter the voice on supporting multilateralism and free trade, and support regional integration as well as rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at the core, so as to make contributions to improving global governance and promoting the healthy development of globalization process. After the dialogue, Vice Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Deputy Foreign Minister Ariel Bergamino of Uruguay, the rotating presidency of MERCOSUR, together signed the minutes of the dialogue.

On the sidelines of the dialogue, Foreign Minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa of Uruguay met with Vice Foreign Minister Qin Gang. Qin Gang also held meetings with Deputy Foreign Minister Ariel Bergamino of Uruguay and Vice Foreign Minister Ronaldo Costa Filho of Brazil respectively, exchanging views on bilateral relations, cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, dialogues between China and MERCOSUR and other topics.

Established in 1991, MERCOSUR is composed of four full members, namely Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. It is one of the most important economic integration organizations in Latin America.