Colombia and China announced their increased bilateral cooperation by signing a series of agreements that will boost political and economic relations between the countries.
“In Colombia we want to attract Chinese investment and open markets here in China,” Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said from Beijing during his official state visit. “That translates into more jobs for Colombians and that is our fundamental purpose. We are hopeful because the signals we have received are that China is going to give great importance to this visit,” he added.
Among the nine agreements signed by Santos and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, are the foundations of a Free Trade Agreement and plans to build an oil pipeline to Colombia’s coast.
Other agreements dealt with protocols regarding the import of Chinese beef and chicken.
Jintao confirmed that his goverment will invest $3 million for the advancment of technological cooperation between the two nations.
Colombia and China will also work to strengthen collaboration in the agricultural, mining and cultural sectors.
Santos’ stop in China comes after a visit to Singapore, where he pushed for greater economic ties between the two nations during the first official visit from a Colombian president to the Southeast Asian city-state.
