Xi wraps up visit to Ecuador, leaves for Peru, APEC meeting

QUITO - Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up on Friday his visit to Ecuador, and departs for the Peruvian capital of Lima for a state visit.

During his stay in Quito, the top Chinese leader held talks with his Ecuadorian counterpart Rafael Correa, during which the two heads of state exchanged views on bilateral ties, China's relations with Latin America, as well as international and regional issues of common concern.

Xi hailed Ecuador as an important country in Latin America, saying that bilateral ties have witnessed substantial development in recent years.

In a joint statement issued after the talks between the two presidents on Thursday, China and Ecuador agreed to lift their relationship to the comprehensive strategic partnership.

Also in the statement, the two countries agreed to boost their cooperation in production capacity, as well as economic and trade areas, and pledged to implement major projects in oil and gas, mining, infrastructure, water conservancy, communication and finance, and explore cooperation in agriculture, petrochemical industry, ship building, metallurgy and paper making industries.

China and Ecuador also agreed to enhance their cooperation in education, culture, health, sports, tourism and judiciary, bolster exchanges between media, artists and students of the two countries, increase the number of student exchanges, so as to boost understanding and friendship of the two peoples, according to the statement.

Both countries will, within the UN and the Group of 77 as well as many other multilateral cooperation frameworks, maintain close communications and cooperation on UN reform, global economic governance, climate change, and the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, so as to promote South-South cooperation and preserve the interests of the developing world, said the statement.

On Friday, the Chinese president met with Ecuadorian President of the National Assembly Gabriela Rivadeneira.

During their meeting, Xi said China and Ecuador need to keep stepping up dialogues and exchanges between their legislative bodies to promote a steady development of the two nations' comprehensive strategic partnership.

Later in the day, the Chinese leader paid a visit to the headquarters of ECU-911, Ecuador's national emergency response system, and promised further support for earthquake-hit Ecuador in disaster relief and reconstruction of the Latin American country.

Xi arrived in the Ecuadorian capital of Quito Thursday afternoon for a state visit to the country and his third visit to Latin America since he took office in 2013.

In Lima, Peru, Xi will also attend the 24th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting from Nov. 19 to 20. After that, he will fly to Chile for a visit.