Chinese President Xi Jinping and Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi held talks in Beijing on Tuesday, signaling a renewed push to elevate bilateral relations and expand cooperation across trade, investment and emerging industries.
Orsi’s visit marks his first trip to China since taking office and comes as Beijing steps up diplomatic engagement with Latin American partners. He is the first Latin American leader to visit China in 2026, following recent visits by heads of government from Europe and Asia.
During the talks, Xi noted that China and Uruguay have maintained stable relations since establishing diplomatic ties 38 years ago, despite shifts in the global political landscape. He said the two countries should build on mutual trust and economic complementarity to further strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Orsi described China as a key partner for Uruguay and said deepening relations with Beijing enjoys broad political and public support at home. He added that Montevideo views closer ties with China as a long-term state policy rather than a short-term diplomatic initiative.
Trade and investment in focus
Economic ties featured prominently in the discussions. Bilateral trade has expanded rapidly in recent years, rising from just over $100 million at the start of diplomatic relations to $6.59 billion in 2024, according to Chinese customs data. China has been Uruguay’s largest trading partner for more than a decade, absorbing the bulk of its soybean and wool exports.
The relationship has increasingly diversified beyond agriculture. Chinese-made electric vehicles have gained a growing share of Uruguay’s car market, while Chinese firms have expanded their presence in infrastructure, logistics and technology-related projects.
Xi said China’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan, which will shape national development priorities over the next five years, is expected to create new opportunities for foreign partners, including Uruguay. He called for deeper cooperation in areas such as finance, agriculture, infrastructure and information technology, as well as newer sectors including clean energy, artificial intelligence and the digital economy.
Orsi said Uruguay is seeking to attract further Chinese investment and technology, particularly in green development, innovation and poverty reduction initiatives, while also expanding educational and cultural exchanges.
Broader diplomatic coordination
The meeting also touched on multilateral cooperation. Uruguay is set to assume leadership roles in several international groupings in 2026, including the Group of 77 and China, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the Mercosur trade bloc.
Xi said China supports Uruguay’s upcoming chairmanships and expressed Beijing’s willingness to work closely with Montevideo to promote multilateralism, strengthen coordination among developing countries and support a more inclusive global economic system.
Orsi echoed those remarks, saying Uruguay intends to work with China to uphold the principles of the United Nations Charter, safeguard the international trading system and advance cooperation between China and Latin America.
Following the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of more than 10 cooperation agreements covering investment, trade and other areas, underscoring both sides’ intent to translate political dialogue into concrete outcomes.
