Xi defends Latin America's 'independence' in choosing partners, meets Ecuador's Noboa in China

Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored Latin America's right to choose its own partners and pursue its national interests during a meeting with Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa in Beijing. Xi stated that countries in the region should demonstrate autonomy and conduct external cooperation based on their own national interests.

Noboa, a key ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, is on a week-long visit to China with a strong commercial focus. The visit comes as several Latin American nations, including Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Honduras, have shifted rightward or consolidated conservative orientations since Trump's return to the White House.

Xi emphasized that China consistently supports Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace and advocates for non-interference in the region's development path and its right to choose partners independently. He called for strengthening political mutual trust between China and Ecuador and advancing cooperation projects in energy, minerals, infrastructure, and finance.

Bilateral trade between China and Ecuador grew 20% in the first half of 2026, two years after their free trade agreement took effect. China remains Ecuador's top export destination for non-oil products. The visit also saw China reinstate export access for eight Ecuadorian shrimp processing plants, which had been suspended previously. The Ecuadorian National Chamber of Aquaculture called the lifting of these suspensions a significant advancement.

Noboa told Xi that Ecuador and China are entering a new stage of relations, assuring him that Ecuador would be a reliable partner. Xi highlighted the benefits of the free trade agreement and the great potential for practical cooperation between the two nations.

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China sostiene sistemáticamente que no se debe socavar el estatus de América Latina y el Caribe como una zona de paz, ni interrumpir el camino de desarrollo y revitalización de los países de la región. No se debe interferir en su derecho a elegir socios de manera independiente.