Li: 'Great potential' for Sino-Colombian ties
Updated: 2015-05-22 11:50
By ZHAO YINAN in Bogota, Colombia(China Daily Latin America)
|
|||||||||||
Premier Li Keqiang talks with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos in Bogota, Colombia on May 21, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua] |
Premier muses about coffee, ping pong and inviting soccer stars to China
With plenty of ceremony, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos pledged to deepen their nations' economic and cultural ties on Thursday during an official meeting in the South American nation's capital.
"Although the two countries are far apart, their economic cooperation has great potential, especially when Colombia is in a rebuilding process at the moment and is in need of infrastructure construction," Li said at a press conference after the meeting.
China and Colombia signed 12 agreements, including deals in infrastructure construction and more cooperation in industrial capacity.
"China is willing to import more agricultural products from Colombia, such as coffee," Li said. "If time permits, I'd like to play ping pong with President Santos.
"On the other hand, China is willing to see more Colombia soccer players and coaches come to China and help us improve in that field," the premier said in a reference to China's ambitions to improve its soccer prowess.
Santos said Li is the highest-level Chinese leader to visit the country in 30 years, and the trip will be a milestone in bilateral ties.
"Colombia highly values China's influence in the Asian-Pacific region," Santos said.
Li also sent condolences to the victims of the recent deadly landslide in Salgar, in northwestern Colombia, and pledged support. Colombia, located in the northwest of the South American continent near Venezuela and Brazil, lowered its annual economic growth target this year to 3.5 percent to 4 percent from an earlier target of 4.8 percent, as slumping oil prices have hit the country's economy.
Related Stories
Premier witnesses signing of key deals with Colombia 2015-05-22 10:55
Premier Li arrives in Bogota to start official visit to Colombia 2015-05-22 07:34
Chinese premier extends condolences to Colombia over landslide 2015-05-21 14:05
Chinese chef in Colombia awaits Li's visit 2015-05-21 13:47
Xi extends condolences to Colombia over landslide 2015-05-21 11:57
Today's Top News
Li: 'Great potential' for Sino-Colombian ties
Premier Li urges harnessing China's manufacturing prowess
Ukraine withdraws from 5 military accords with Russia
Cameron: Curbing EU migrant access to welfare red line in EU talk
China, heir to Mozart?
OPEC turn down Chinese requests for extra oil
Beijing concerned as US accuses 6 Chinese of economic spying
Ma backs female entrepreneurs
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Premier Li embarks on Latin America visit |
What do we know about AIIB |
Full coverage of Boao Forum for Asia |
Annual legislative and political advisory sessions |
Festival Special: Apps that make holiday shopping easier |
Listed firms caught in anti-corruption net |