Ecuadorian president to visit China

BEIJING, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, President of the Republic of Ecuador Daniel Roy-Gilchrist Noboa Azín will pay a state visit to China from Aug. 16 to 23, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Friday.

Noting Ecuador is an important Latin American country, and China and Ecuador are comprehensive strategic partners, the spokesperson said that over recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Ecuador relations have maintained a sound momentum of growth.

The spokesperson said that the two sides have signed a document on Belt and Road cooperation and a free trade agreement, practical cooperation in various areas has been fruitful, and the friendship between the peoples has been deepening.

The upcoming visit will be President Daniel Noboa's first state visit to China, the spokesperson said, adding that President Xi will hold talks with him, and Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji will meet with him respectively.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-Ecuador comprehensive strategic partnership, and China hopes the visit will help further consolidate political mutual trust between the two countries, carry forward the traditional friendship, and achieve new progress in the comprehensive strategic partnership for the benefit of the two peoples, the spokesperson said.