On November 17, 2016 local time, President Xi Jinping arrived in Quito by special plane, starting his state visit to the Republic of Ecuador.

At around 3: 30 p.m., Xi Jinping's special plane arrived at Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito. When Xi Jinping and his wife Mme. Peng Liyuan walked out of the cabin door, President Rafael Correa of Ecuador, his wife Anne Malherbe Gosselin and others warmly welcomed them beside the ramp. Local children presented flowers to Xi Jinping and Mme. Peng Liyuan.

Rafael Correa held a grand welcoming ceremony for Xi Jinping at the airport. The two heads of state stepped on the reviewing stand. The military band played the national anthems of both China and Ecuador. Xi Jinping shook hands with principal officials of Ecuador, and Rafael Correa shook hands with the Chinese delegation members. The two heads of state delivered speeches respectively.

Xi Jinping pointed out that it is a pleasure to visit the beautiful Republic of Ecuador, known as the "Country of the Equator". Ecuador is an important country in Latin America. China and Ecuador enjoy a long-standing friendship. In recent years, bilateral relations have achieved substantial progress. Both sides have constantly consolidated political mutual trust, yielded fruitful outcomes from practical cooperation and supported each other in international and regional affairs. My visit to Ecuador this time is the first visit of a Chinese President since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relationship. Coming with the profound friendship of the Chinese people and good wishes for the development of bilateral relations, I look forward to exchanging in-depth views with Ecuadorian leaders on bilateral relations and topics of common concern. It is believed that this visit will yield positive results, build a new solid bridge for bilateral friendly cooperation and open up brighter prospects for China-Ecuador relations.

Rafael Correa warmly welcomed President Xi Jinping's visit, and expressed that although Ecuador and China are far from each other in geography, bilateral relations are close. Admiring China's great achievements in its national construction, Ecuador thanks China for its support in Ecuador's economic and social development. Both Ecuador and China are devoted to developing bilateral relations and achieving fruitful outcomes from cooperation in economy, trade, energy, agriculture, infrastructure construction, finance and other fields. The Ecuadorian people have long awaited President Xi Jinping's visit. It is believed that this visit will elevate bilateral relations to a new level.

After the speech, Xi Jinping, accompanied by Rafael Correa, reviewed the guard of honor and the flag-holding squad of the soldiers.

Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu, Yang Jiechi and other delegation members arrived by the same plane.

H.E. Wang Yulin, Chinese Ambassador to Ecuador also greeted President Xi Jinping at the airport.

After concluding the state visit to Ecuador, Xi Jinping will also pay state visits to Peru and Chile as well as attend the 24th APEC Economic Leaders' Summit in Lima of Peru.