Montevideo, August 5th—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with Omar Paganini, Uruguayan Foreign Minister. 

Liu said, China and Uruguay are good friends and partners. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 36 years ago, the two countries have always respected each other, treated each other as equals, continuously deepened political mutual trust, expanded economic and trade cooperation, and increased people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The Chinese side is willing to work with the Uruguayan side to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, continuously intensify strategic coordination, firmly support each other on issues involving respective core interests and major concerns, promote pragmatic cooperation in economy, trade, science, technology, etc., strengthen people-to-people, cultural and sports exchanges, and promote the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries for greater development. 

Liu said that China and Uruguay are both developing countries and members of the Global South, sharing broad common interests. Both countries support the international system with the United Nations at its core and advocate free trade. The Chinese side supports Uruguay in playing a greater role in regional affairs and is willing to strengthen multilateral coordination and cooperation with the Uruguayan side to promote the development of China’s relations with Latin American and Caribbean countries. The Chinese side appreciates the Uruguayan side's joining the Global Development Initiative and is willing to work with the Uruguayan side to actively implement the three major global initiatives, defend international fairness and justice, and maintain world peace and development. Liu introduced the main situation of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, saying that the plenary session made a scientific plan for the overall arrangement of further deepening reforms around Chinese modernization and further made clear the direction of China's future development. The Chinese side is willing to, together with the Uruguayan side, support each other in the process of realizing modernization, development and revitalization of respective countries, and achieve common development. 

Paganini said, Uruguay and China are different in size, social system and culture, but both stay committed to equal treatment. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 36 years ago, bilateral relations have enjoyed in-depth development. Last year, President Luis Alberto Lacalle Pou successfully visited China and jointly upgraded bilateral relations with President Xi Jinping to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The Uruguayan side is willing to, together with the Chinese side, strengthen cooperation in economy and trade and strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The Uruguayan side congratulates China on its great achievements in economic and social development and appreciates its active role in international affairs. Stability is the premise of development and the guarantee for the economic development of both countries. The current international situation is full of uncertainties and unstable factors. The Uruguayan side is willing to strengthen international cooperation with the Chinese side to safeguard world peace, stability and development. The Uruguayan side advocates free trade, opposes trade protectionism, and is willing to help the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) strengthen dialogue and cooperation with China. 

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.