Chinese President Xi Jinping calls for an equal world order during talks with Uruguay’s leader, criticising unilateralism and pledging support for Latin American sovereignty.
BEIJING: President Xi Jinping called for an “equal and orderly multipolar world” during talks with Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi on Tuesday.
The Chinese leader’s remarks, which criticised “unilateral bullying”, were widely seen as a veiled critique of the United States.
Xi stated that the international situation is “fraught with intertwined turmoil”.
He expressed China’s willingness to strengthen cooperation with Uruguay within the Global South to promote inclusive economic globalisation.
Beijing supports Latin American and Caribbean countries in safeguarding their sovereignty, security, and development interests, Xi added.
The meeting follows the recent US-led capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, an operation China condemned.
President Orsi warned of risks from the “challenging international and regional scenario”.
He is the first South American leader to visit Beijing since the incident in Venezuela.
China is Uruguay’s top trading partner and largest export destination.
It is a key buyer of Uruguayan agricultural products like soybeans and beef.
Chinese electric vehicle brands now account for almost a third of EV sales in Uruguay.
Beijing has invested billions of dollars in Latin America through initiatives like the Belt and Road project.
The two leaders signed agreements on science, technology, and environmental cooperation.
They pledged to explore collaboration in green technology, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence.
Orsi said the nations would “seek to increase and diversify our bilateral trade”.
Both countries support a “standard-based international trade system”.
Uruguay’s membership in the Mercosur trade bloc limits its ability to strike a unilateral trade deal with China.
The bloc, which includes Brazil and Argentina, signed a major trade agreement with the European Union last month.
Montevideo has previously expressed interest in an independent commercial pact with Beijing.
This stance has sparked opposition from its fellow Mercosur members.
President Orsi is scheduled to hold further talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and top legislator Zhao Leji.
His itinerary includes a visit to Shanghai following his meetings in the capital.
