On November 17, 2016 local time, President Xi Jinping held talks in Quito with President Rafael Correa of Ecuador. Speaking highly of bilateral traditional friendship, both heads of state decided to lift the positioning of bilateral relations and establish China-Ecuador comprehensive strategic partnership, so as to push bilateral relations for greater development under the new situation.

Xi Jinping pointed out that Ecuador is an important country in Latin America. In recent years, China-Ecuador relations have achieved substantial development. In particular, since the establishment of strategic partnership in 2015, bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation has seen rapid development in a wide range of areas, with the scale of collaboration continuing to increase. Bilateral relations have since been greatly enriched and have been picking up a momentum towards comprehensive development. At present, China and Ecuador have now entered a key moment of development where cooperation between the two countries is of greater importance. China will continue to support Ecuador in exploring a development path that suits its own national conditions, and will actively take part in Ecuador's post-earthquake reconstruction work. China is willing to reinforce practical cooperation with the Ecuadorian side in all areas, comprehensively step up the integration of interests of both sides and expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to open up brighter prospects for the development of bilateral relations. The Chinese side actively supports Ecuador to take over the presidency of the Group of 77 (G77) next year, and is willing to continuously intensify cooperation with the G77 in multilateral affairs. China is also willing to work with Ecuador to constantly boost China-Latin America overall cooperation and push for greater development of China-Latin America relations.

Rafael Correa expressed that President Xi Jinping's state visit this time is more like a gathering between friends. It is believed that the visit will enhance bilateral relations, deepen bilateral cooperation and bring more benefits to people of both countries. Ecuador thanks China for the strong support to Ecuador's earthquake relief and post-disaster reconstruction. Ecuador always adheres to the one-China policy, and devotes itself to enhancing communication and cooperation in politics, economy, trade and people-to-people and cultural engagement with China. As the presidency of the G77 next year, Ecuador will boost the "G77 + China" to conduct closer cooperation within multilateral agencies.

The two heads of state jointly decided to lift China-Ecuador relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, and take it as a new starting point to deepen strategic mutual trust and guide mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries to achieve greater outcomes, so as to push bilateral relations for better and faster development.

Both sides reiterated that they respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as understand and support each other's core interests and major concerns. The two sides agreed to intensify high-level exchanges, promote communication between governmental departments, legislative institutions, political parties and local governments, maintain close communication and coordination on bilateral relations and issues of common concern, continuously expand consensus and consolidate political mutual trust.

Both sides agreed to enhance the docking of development strategies, deeply tap the potential of economic and trade complementarity, push bilateral trade for sustained, stable and balanced growth, strengthen cooperation in such areas as production capacity, investment, technology, oil, gas, mining industry, infrastructure, water conservancy, telecommunication and finance, and actively discuss cooperation in areas including agriculture, petrochemical industry, shipbuilding, metallurgy and papermaking.

Both sides agreed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in areas including education, culture, science and technology, health, sports, tourism, news and youths, reinforce exchanges and friendship between the two peoples, and continuously cement the public foundation of bilateral relationship.

Both sides reiterated to abide by the purpose and principles of the UN Charter, boost communication and cooperation within multilateral mechanisms and frameworks including the UN and the G77, and jointly advance South-South Cooperation, so as to better safeguard the common interests of developing countries.

Both sides agreed to deepen China-Latin America comprehensive cooperative partnership featuring equality, mutual benefit and common development. Both sides expressed their willingness to work with all countries in Latin America to well implement the consensus reached during meetings between Chinese and Latin American leaders and continuously boost China-Latin America overall cooperation, so as to elevate bilateral relations to a new level.

After the meeting, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of several bilateral cooperation documents in such areas as production capacity cooperation, investment, industrial park, economy and technology, judiciary and news.

Both heads of state also jointly met the press.

Both sides issued the Joint Statement on Establishing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Ecuador.

The talks were held at the Presidential Palace. When Xi Jinping arrived, Rafael Correa welcomed him at the entrance. Guards of courtesy lined up and saluted to them. The military band played the national anthems of both countries.

Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu, Yang Jiechi and other officials attended above activities.