Beijing, May 14th—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), met here today with Mario Lubetkin, Foreign Minister of Uruguay. 

Liu said, the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum was successfully held yesterday. President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony and delivered an important speech, announcing the launch of five programs, namely Solidarity Program, Development Program, Civilization Program, Peace Program and People-to-People Connectivity Program, charting the course for the building of the community with a shared future for China and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. China attaches great importance to the development of China-LAC relations and supports Uruguay in assuming the rotating presidency of the CELAC next year. China will strengthen coordination and cooperation with LAC countries including Uruguay to promote the continuous development of China-LAC relations and better benefit the people of China and the LAC. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Uruguay, the two countries have witnessed sound development of bilateral relations, deepening political mutual trust, expanding economic and trade cooperation, and robust people-to-people and cultural exchanges. China is willing to work with Uruguay to promote China-Uruguay comprehensive strategic partnership for in-depth and substantial development under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state. 

Liu said that political party exchanges have played an important role in promoting the development of China-Uruguay relations. Uruguay's political parties share the broad consensus on developing relations with China. The CPC is willing to continue to strengthen exchanges and dialogues with Uruguay's political parties to promote greater progress in China-Uruguay relations. The current international situation is turbulent and intertwined. Unilateralism, isolationism, protectionism, and bullying are on the rise, posing a severe challenge to the international order. As both developing countries and Global South countries, China and Uruguay actively participate in and contribute to global governance, as well as support and promote multilateralism and open free trade. China is willing to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with Uruguay and other countries, meet common challenges together, firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order based on international law, and the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, and champion international fairness and justice. 

Lubetkin said, yesterday, President Xi Jinping announced important measures to support LAC-China cooperation at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum, drawing a blueprint for the future development of LAC-China relations. China is an important partner of the LAC. Uruguay thanks China for its valuable support for the economic and social development of Uruguay and other LAC countries. Uruguay will assume the rotating presidency of the CELAC next year, and will work hard to promote LAC-China cooperation, promote South-South cooperation, jointly respond to global challenges, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. Uruguay regards China as a good friend, and the two sides have similar positions on many issues. Uruguay hopes to strengthen cooperation with China in all fields and promote Uruguay-China relations for greater development. 

Ma Hui, Vice-minister of the IDCPC, Fernando Lugris Rodriguez, Ambassador of Uruguay to China, and others were present.