Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming tour to Latin America is expected to promote friendship and cooperation between China and the region and accelerate integration in the Asia-Pacific.
Xi will visit Ecuador, Peru and Chile from Nov. 17 to 23 and attend the 24th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting from Nov. 19 to 20 in Lima, Peru.
Experts say Xi's trip will inject dynamism into the development and prosperity of China, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific.
DEEPENING FRIENDSHIP WITH LATIN AMERICA
Xi's trip to Latin America, which will be the third since he took office in March 2013, is expected to deepen traditional friendship between China and the continent and consolidate the public opinion basis of China-Latin America relations.
Xi's visit to Ecuador is the first by a Chinese president since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 36 years ago.
In Ecuador, Xi will exchange views with President Rafael Correa on bilateral ties. The two presidents will also witness the signing of a series of deals, meet with the press and attend a launch ceremony of an assistance program.
The two heads of state will blueprint the future of bilateral relations from strategic perspectives, which will promote the China-Ecuador strategic partnership to a new height.
In January 2015 in Beijing, Xi and Correa decided to establish a strategic partnership between their countries. Since then, bilateral ties have entered a new phase of all-round rapid development.
Now, China is Ecuador's third-largest trading partner and Ecuador is one of the main destinations for Chinese investment and financing in Latin America.
Ecuadoran Foreign Minister Guillaume Long said that all sectors of the Ecuadoran society are looking forward to Xi's visit and that the historic visit will further deepen the brotherly friendship between the two peoples.
Peru is the second leg of Xi's visit. China and Peru, both with ancient civilizations, have enjoyed deep friendship. More than 400 years ago, maritime routes between China and Peru were explored, starting trans-oceanic exchanges.
Peru's close ties with China gives the country a pivotal role in promoting China-Latin America ties.
China has become Peru's largest trading partner and largest export market, while Peru is one of the first countries with which China conducted international cooperation in production capacity.
During his stay in Peru, Xi is expected to hold talks with President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski and deliver a speech at the Peruvian Congress.
Chile, the last leg of Xi's visit, has always led in developing relations with China. It is the first South American nation that forged diplomatic ties with China, the first Latin American country that signed a bilateral accord with China on China's joining the World Trade Organization and signed a free trade agreement with China.
Last year, the first clearing bank for transactions in renminbi in South America was opened in Chile's capital, Santiago.
Xi's visit is expected to upgrade the China-Chile strategic partnership.During his stay in Chile, he is scheduled to hold talks with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, attend a signing ceremony for agreements and meet with the press.
In the eyes of Liu Yuqin, former Chinese ambassador to Ecuador and Chile, Xi's Latin America tour has fully reflected that the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core holds a perspective of the overall situation in China's diplomatic strategy.
"China-Latin America relations have made a great stride since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012. Elevating the strategic position of policies toward Latin America and including Latin America in China's diplomatic strategy priorities accord with the common interests and realistic demand of both parties," Liu said.
