Xi Jinping Holds Talks with President Nayib Armando Bukele Ortez of El Salvador

On December 3, 2019, President Xi Jinping held talks with President Nayib Armando Bukele Ortez of El Salvador at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi Jinping welcomed Nayib Armando Bukele Ortez's first state visit to China. Xi Jinping pointed out, the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and El Salvador is a landmark event in the history of the bilateral exchanges. It opens the door of bilateral cooperation, conforms to the trends of historical development and accords with the fundamental interests of both peoples. Over the past year since the establishment of diplomatic relations, both sides have enjoyed increasingly close exchanges in various areas, continuously expanded economic and trade cooperation and intensified mutual understanding. Mr. President's right decision to maintain and develop China-El Salvador relations has shown your strategic vision and historical responsibility as a statesman. I agree with your views that relations between El Salvador and China have so much more to achieve. The Chinese side stands ready to work with the El Salvadoran side to increase mutual trust, expand exchanges and enhance cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs in order to elevate bilateral relations to new highs.

Xi Jinping stressed, both sides need to enhance cooperation in areas including infrastructure, agriculture, quality supervision, energy, water conservancy and science and technology, and create highlights in the improvement of people's livelihood to benefit the two peoples. The Chinese side is willing to provide assistance to the El Salvadoran side within its capacity. The El Salvadoran side is welcome to participate in jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative, and translate our complementarity into outcomes of cooperation. China stands ready to import more high-quality products such as sugar and coffee from the El Salvadoran side. The two sides should conduct exchanges between governments, legislatures, political parties, localities, business circles, young people, think-tanks and media. Many of those who visited China from El Salvador have said that they viewed China as a mystery before they came but were fascinated after they arrived. More people from El Salvador are welcome to visit China. China is willing to intensify people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding so as to build a solid and broad social and public foundation for the lasting, sound and stable development of bilateral relations.

Nayib Armando Bukele Ortez said, the people of El Salvador pay close attention to and pin high hopes on my visit to China. China is a great country that plays an extremely important role in the international arena. I admire China's splendid history and culture and remarkable development achievements very much. Though the two countries forged diplomatic relations not long ago, we enjoy great potential and the capability to be each other's good partners and friends. I believe that developing relations with China, a great country and sincere friend, will bring opportunities for El Salvador's development and tangible benefits for our people. I hope to learn from President Xi Jinping's experience in state governance and administration, and am committed to developing a long-term friendship with China and developing relations with China in parallel with other major bilateral relations, so as to set an example for other countries in Latin America. The El Salvadoran side fully abides by the One China principle and supports China in realizing peaceful reunification. The El Salvadoran side appreciates the Chinese side's assistance to its economic development and looks forward to enhancing cooperation with the Chinese side in areas including investment, trade, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, culture and science and technology, and jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative. I believe that my visit will be a new starting point for El Salvador-China relations and open up a bright future for bilateral relations.

After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of many bilateral cooperation agreements.

The two countries issued a joint statement between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of El Salvador.

Prior to the talks, Xi Jinping held a welcome ceremony for Nayib Armando Bukele Ortez at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Peng Liyuan, Yang Jiechi, Zhang Chunxian, Wang Yi, Ma Biao, He Lifeng and others were present.