China, Ecuador forge strategic partnership amid 35th anni. of ties

China and Ecuador announced the establishment of a strategic partnership amid the commemorations of their 35-year-long diplomatic ties on Wednesday.

The announcement came out of the hour-long talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Ecuadorian counterpart Rafael Correa at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing on Wednesday morning.

Xi first reviewed his meeting with Correa in Brazil last July, highlighting their consensus on bilateral ties and China-Latin America cooperation.

Departments, companies and financial institutions of the two countries are working closely to implement the consensus and make progress, Xi said.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of China-Ecuador diplomatic relations, on which Xi and Correa exchanged congratulatory messages last Friday.

"China-Ecuador relations now stay at their historic best," Xi said.

"The establishment of strategic partnership precisely reflects the level of China-Ecuador relations and will boost the development of ties," Xi said.

Xi proposed China and Ecuador enhance mutual trust and support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests, calling for more experience sharing among governments, legislatures and political parties.

On the economic front, Xi underlined the leading role of financial cooperation, calling for more collaboration in energy, electric power, minerals, infrastructure, agriculture technology, high-tech and new energy.

Xi proposed more facilitation for the businesses of the two countries to invest and do businesses and balanced trade growth.

The Chinese leader called for solid implementation of culture exchange programs and events marking the 35th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties.

Xi also appealed for stronger collaboration in international organizations and closer coordination on major international issues so as to safeguard the interests of developing countries.

Xi hailed Ecuador's efforts to prepare for the meetings between the Chinese leader and the Latin American leaders and the first ministerial meeting of the forum on cooperation between China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which will start on Thursday.

Xi said he expects Ecuador, which will soon serve as CELAC's rotating chair, to play a positive role in boosting the overall relations and cooperation between China and the Latin American countries.

Correa called China a fraternal country, saying he is fascinated by the Chinese history and culture and inspired by the industrious and enterprising spirit of the Chinese people.

The Ecuadorian leader appreciated China's commitment to developing ties with Ecuador, highlighting China is the No.1 financial support provider to Ecuador.

Correa said his country is glad to establish strategic partnership with China, proposing stronger financial and scientific cooperation and more people-to-people exchanges.

Despite long geographic distance between China and Latin America, the China-CELAC Forum on Cooperation offers a new platform for bilateral cooperation, the Ecuadorian leader said.

After talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of cooperation deals ranging from economy and education to science and finance.

The two countries also issued a joint statement on establishing strategic partnership.

Correa is on a five-day state visit to China, which will conclude on Friday.