Chinese President Xi Jinping's three-nation Latin American tour has yielded fruitful results, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.
Commenting on Xi's visits to Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica and Mexico from May 31 to June 6, Wang said Latin America and the Caribbean, as one of the developing regions with great vitality and potential for development, has an important position in China's foreign policies.
China and Trinidad and Tobago, the most prosperous country in the Caribbean, enjoy profound friendship. Trinidad and Tobago cast its vote in favor of restoring the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations in 1971, Wang noted.
Costa Rica is the only country in Central America that has diplomatic ties with China. Costa Rica, to take up rotating chair of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States next year, is playing an increasingly active role in regional affairs, he said.
Mexico, as an ancient civilization, regional power and emerging market, has shown strong desire to strengthen cooperation with China since its new government was formed, bringing new opportunities for the development of bilateral ties, Wang said.
During the visits, Xi held in-depth discussion with the leaders of the three countries. He also held talks with the leaders of eight Caribbean nations in Port of Spain, capital of Trinidad and Tobago.
The visits improved mutual trust and set a clear direction for the development of bilateral ties and China's relations with Latin America and the Caribbean, Wang said.
Though geographically far apart, China and Latin America and the Caribbean have always supported each other in their fight for national independence and endeavor for development, Wang said.
Under the new situation, the two sides are faced with the common task of developing economy and improving people's livelihood, he said.
During the visits, Xi elaborated on the concept of Chinese dream and stressed that Chinese dream will reinforce world peace and bring about development opportunities for the world, Wang said.
China is committed to developing friendly ties with Latin American and Caribbean countries, Wang said, adding that China, as a good partner, will constantly improve political mutual trust, economic cooperation and cultural exchanges with the countries.
Wang said the foreign leaders, when meeting with Xi, said they appreciate the opportunities brought about by China's development and are willing to deepen cooperation with China in various fields to seek common development, pledging continuous support to Beijing on issues concerning China's core interests.
Xi's visits also boosted practical cooperation and specified key areas for China to deepen cooperation with the three nations and the whole region, Wang said.
While China has advantages in manufacturing, infrastructure construction, Latin America and the Caribbean has rich natural resources. The two sides should reinforce complementary advantages, carry out mutually beneficial cooperation and share experiences, Wang said.
Talking about trade, Wang quoted Xi as saying that China has never intentionally sought surplus in bilateral trade and the country is ready to import more products from relevant countries.
During Xi's visits to the three countries, China signed 24 agreements with them, covering cooperation in various fields, Wang said.
Xi's visits also boosted people-to-people exchanges and helped improve people's understanding of China, Wang said.
During the visits, Xi had extensive contacts with local people. He played steel drums with performers in Trinidad and Tobago, visited a coffee plantation in Costa Rica and toured the ancient Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza in Mexico.
Xi proposed to improve cultural exchanges between China and Latin America and the Caribbean. He witnessed the signing of a host of agreements covering academic, educational, medical and health cooperation.
In Costa Rica, Xi received the Key to San Jose, capital of Costa Rica. San Jose Mayor Johnny Araya described the key as the highest honor awarded to foreign guests by his city. In Mexico, Xi also received a ceremonial key to Mexico City, along with a medal and an honorary citizenship.
Talking about the impact of Xi's visits on China-Latin America ties, Wang said the visits will improve coordination between the two sides.
China and Latin America share common interests and identical positions as both are developing economies, Wang said.
During the visits, Xi had in-depth discussion with leaders of the three countries on international and regional issues of common concern.
In meetings with Mexican leaders, Xi said China and Mexico share many common interests and obligations on many key global issues, such as improving global economic governance and promoting reform of the international system.
Xi said China and Mexico should improve coordination and cooperation in international and multilateral mechanisms, and jointly safeguard the legitimate rights of developing countries.
In meetings with the leaders of the Caribbean countries, Xi expressed his understanding to their concerns over the impact of climate change. Xi said China supports their reasonable requests and will continue to offer help within its capacity under the framework of South-South cooperation.
Wang said during the meetings, the leaders said that China is an important force in maintaining world peace, stability and development.
They agreed that the cooperation between China and Latin America and the Caribbean will help the international community better cope with global challenges and promote a multi-polar world and democracy in international relations, Wang said.
Wang said that the cooperation between China and Latin America and the Caribbean is based on their common interests and development goals and is part of the South-South cooperation, which features mutual benefit and common development.
Wang stressed that Xi's three-nation Latin American tour is an important diplomatic move, and it sends a signal that China is ready to develop relations with all countries, regardless of their sizes or geographical distances.
Wang said China will adhere to the path of peaceful development and is firmly committed to the win-win strategy of opening up so as to create a stable and favorable external environment for national rejuvenation and make greater contribution to world peace and development.
Xi arrived in the U.S. state of California later Thursday for a meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama.
