Xi congratulates Colombian president on 45 years of ties

President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulations on Friday with Colombian President Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego over the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, pledging to deepen and enrich the two nations' strategic partnership.

Since China and Colombia established diplomatic relations 45 years ago, both sides have been pushing for the steady development of bilateral ties based on the principles of equality and mutual respect, Xi said in his congratulatory message.

He recalled the successful state visit to China by Petro in October 2023, during which the two nations announced the establishment of a strategic partnership.

The Latin American country will assume the rotating presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States this year.

Calling Colombia an important country in Latin America, Xi said he attaches great importance to developing China-Colombia relations, and is willing to work with Petro to jointly build a China-Latin America and Caribbean community with a shared future.

In his message, Petro said the development of bilateral relations has witnessed fruitful results since the two sides established diplomatic ties in 1980, delivering benefits to the two peoples.

Frequent high-level visits have greatly boosted bilateral cooperation in various fields, and fostered deeper bonds between the two peoples, he said.

Bilateral ties have been steadily strengthened with the continuous increase of trade and investment since his state visit to China, the Colombian president said.

Colombia is willing to work with China to jointly promote world peace and energy transition and respond to climate change, he added.

China has remained Colombia's second-largest trading partner and a major source of investment for many years. Bilateral trade volume exceeded $19.3 billion last year. Colombia is China's second-largest source of coffee imports, while China is Colombia's second-largest export market for beef, according to Chinese Ambassador to Colombia Zhu Jingyang.

Xinhua contributed to this story.

zhoujin@chinadaily.com.cn

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