Chinese President Hu Jintao holds a welcoming ceremony for his Uruguayan counterpart Tabare Vazquez at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing

On the afternoon of March 23, 2009, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with his visiting Uruguayan counterpart Tabare Vazquez at the Great Hall of the People. They agreed to advance China-Uruguay friendly and cooperative relations featuring long-term stability, equality and mutual benefit, and jointly open up a new prospect for bilateral ties. Both sides signed a number of new bilateral agreements and Uruguay recognized the full market economy status of China. Hu emphasized that China attaches high importance to the G20 Summit scheduled for April 2 in London and is committed to intensifying communication with the participating parties to ensure the summit will produce positive outcomes.

Hu spoke positively about bilateral relations and appreciated Uruguay's adherence to the one-China policy and its firm support on issues concerning Taiwan and Tibet. He highlighted the rapid growth of bilateral relations since the two forged diplomatic relationship 21 years ago, pointing to frequent exchanges at high and other levels, increasing political trust and fruitful economic and trade cooperation. China has become the third biggest trading partner of Uruguay and the two sides have enjoyed sound coordination and cooperation in regional and international issues, Hu said, adding that both sides have also advanced continuously exchanges and cooperation in the cultural area. The development of bilateral ties has brought tangible benefits to both peoples and received their support.

Vazquez said that despite the distance keeping the two countries apart, both peoples have maintained friendship. The two countries have made important progress in cooperation in various fields since they established diplomatic relations. The two sides share broad consensus on many major issues. Both sides support peaceful resolution of international disputes and oppose interference of other country's internal affairs, Vazquez said. Uruguay adheres to the one-China policy and the growth of bilateral relations will serve the interests of both nations and their peoples and is of great significance, Vazquez added.

Hu raised a four-point proposal on furthering China-Uruguay exchanges and cooperation in all areas. First, strengthen political relations and build up mutual trust. China is ready to maintain high-level exchanges with Uruguay and enhance dialogues at various levels. China supports the legislative bodies of both countries to engage in friendly exchanges of diverse forms. The Communist Party of China is ready to develop sound party-to-party relations with political parties in Uruguay. Second, expand economic and trade cooperation and seek common development. Hu urged both sides to continue to expand bilateral trade, promote two-way investment and conduct scientific and technological cooperation. He named agriculture, animal husbandry, fishery, product quality inspection, software and engineering technology consultation as fields where cooperation should be strengthened in a bid to cultivate new trade growth points. "The Chinese government encourages its companies to start businesses and invest in Uruguay and is willing to boost bilateral cooperation in energy, information technology industry, biological technology and agricultural technology, so as to make China-Uruguay scientific and technological cooperation a new highlight", Hu said. Third, enrich cultural exchanges and build friendship between both peoples. Hu proposed the two nations boost cultural and people-to-people exchanges by expanding cooperation in culture, education, sports, journalism, radio, television and tourism sectors. China welcomes Uruguay to participate in the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai. Fourth, keep closer coordination and enhance multilateral cooperation. "China will make joint efforts with developing countries, including Uruguay, to address global challenges such as the current international financial crisis in an aim to maintain and promote peace, stability and development across the world", the Chinese president said. He added that China supports the integration process of the Common Market of the South and is willing to develop friendly and cooperative ties with its member states.

Vazquez expressed full agreement with Hu Jintao’s suggestions on furthering bilateral ties. He hoped that both sides will further enhance cooperation and exchanges in bilateral and multilateral areas. Vazquez stressed the necessity for the establishment of a new international financial order amid the current economic and financial crisis and other challenges. He also expressed the hope that the upcoming G20 Summit will score positive results that will help alleviate the impact of the financial crisis on developing countries. Uruguay is ready to exchange in-depth views with China in this regard and jointly cope with global challenges.

After the talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation agreements including a memorandum of understanding on trade and investment cooperation between the two governments.

Prior to the talks, President Hu held a welcoming ceremony for Vazquez’s visit at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Han Qide, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China , State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Li Jinhua, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Xie Kechang, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang (RCCK), Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang, Minister of Commerce Chen Deming and Chinese Ambassador to Uruguay Li Zhongliang attended the welcoming ceremony.