Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, who begins an official visit
to China on Monday, will seek to boost political dialogue, trade
and cooperation through talks with his Chinese counterpart Hu
Jintao, Ecuador's Foreign Ministry said on Sunday.
"Both sides plan to sign bilateral agreements, covering areas
including mining, hydrocarbons, environment, culture, railways,
sports, tourism, trade, finance and animal hygiene," the ministry
said.
President Correa will seek Chinese investment in a major airport
in the Ecuadorian Amazon, where construction is planned to start in
2008, the ministry said.
Ecuador is seeking and enlarging cooperation with and investment
from China, the ministry said.
"The diplomatic relations between the two countries, since
established in 1980, have witnessed more progress," the ministry
added.
During his one-week visit, Correa is scheduled to meet some
other top Chinese officials as well.
Ecuador has received US$1.8 billion of investment from China,
making it the leading recipient of Chinese investment in Latin
America. In the first nine months this year the bilateral trade
volume has topped US$669 million.
Ecuador's main exports to China are farm goods, wood, metal and
white fish. The single largest export category is bananas. China's
exports to Ecuador include clothes, toys, shoes, and
televisions.
After visiting China, Correa will travel to Indonesia on Nov. 25
for an official visit at the invitation of Indonesian President
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
(Xinhua News Agency November 19, 2007)
