Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called for China and Bolivia to align the Belt and Road Initiative with Bolivia’s 2025 development plan. Xi made the remarks during a meeting with Bolivian President Luis Arce on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Highlighting that China and Bolivia are good friends and close partners, Xi noted that bilateral relations have maintained strong momentum in recent years. He emphasized that both sides have steadfastly supported each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns. The Belt and Road cooperation, Xi added, has yielded fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both nations.
Xi also stated that the two sides should deepen coordination within multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations and BRICS to promote unity, self-reliance, and common development among Global South countries. He reaffirmed China’s support for Latin American integration and expressed readiness to work with Bolivia to strengthen mechanisms like the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum. President Arce congratulated Xi on the recent opening of Peru’s Chancay Port and expressed Bolivia’s eagerness to jointly celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties with China next year. Arce also conveyed Bolivia’s willingness to deepen its strategic partnership with China and enhance cooperation in areas such as infrastructure connectivity to support Bolivia’s national development and improve the well-being of its people.