Chinese Ambassador to Colombia Provides Details on the Country’s Accession to the Belt and Road Initiative

Photo: IDCPC.

In his recent speech, the Chinese Ambassador to Colombia, Zhu Jingyang, highlighted the progress made following the visit of Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo to China. This meeting was part of the continuation of the Strategic Partnership between both countries, which has 44 years of diplomatic relations. Zhu emphasized China’s willingness to strengthen cooperation in key areas such as trade, investments, infrastructure, clean energy, telecommunications, and artificial intelligence, focusing on supporting sustainable development in Colombia.

Zhu also conveyed the message from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who highlighted the friendship and continuous progress in relations between China and Colombia. Furthermore, Zhu mentioned the possibility of Colombia joining the Belt and Road Initiative, an international project launched by President Xi Jinping 11 years ago to improve global connectivity and trade. The ambassador indicated that two-thirds of Latin American countries are already part of the initiative and that Colombia could derive considerable benefits by joining.

The ambassador underscored the strong trade relationship between the two countries, with China being Colombia’s second-largest trading partner for the past 15 years. He also mentioned the involvement of Chinese companies in key projects within Colombia’s mining, energy, and transportation sectors. Additionally, Zhu highlighted China’s commitment to continuing its support for green infrastructure development and renewable energy in Colombia, utilizing bilateral mechanisms to resolve any issues in trade exchanges.

One of the most significant points in Zhu’s speech was China’s openness to discuss a potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Colombia. According to the ambassador, China is willing to explore this possibility if Colombia is interested, while he also called on the Colombian government to offer a secure and favorable business environment for Chinese companies already operating in the country.

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Embajador de China en Colombia da detalles sobre adhesión del país a la Franja y la Ruta – WRadio.