China and Ecuador Pledge Deeper Trade and Tech Ties During Noboa Visit

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and National People's Congress Standing Committee Chairman Zhao Leji met with visiting Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa in Beijing on August 19. Marking the tenth anniversary of the China-Ecuador comprehensive strategic partnership, the leaders agreed to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, effectively implement the bilateral free trade agreement, and broaden collaboration across mining, renewable energy, and emerging technologies such as 5G and artificial intelligence, alongside strengthened legislative exchanges.

The high-level engagements reaffirm Beijing's long-term economic and diplomatic foothold in South America. For Ecuador, maximizing the benefits of the bilateral free trade agreement and attracting Chinese investments in infrastructure, mining, and renewable energy remain central economic objectives amid domestic financial and security challenges.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and top legislator Zhao Leji held separate meetings with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa in Beijing on August 19, focusing on expanding bilateral economic cooperation, implementing free trade commitments, and deepening institutional dialogue. The meetings followed talks between Noboa and Chinese President Xi Jinping, coming as the two nations mark the tenth anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership. According to state media reports, Premier Li emphasized China's readiness to follow through on the strategic guidance established by the two heads of state to bolster political trust and advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. Li called for continued effective execution of the China-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement to leverage economic complementarities and scale up bilateral trade. He highlighted traditional sectors—such as energy, mining, and infrastructure development—while urging expanded cooperation in emerging high-tech domains, including 5G telecommunications and artificial intelligence. Li stated that China is willing to import more high-quality agricultural and food products from Ecuador and encourage capable Chinese enterprises to invest in the country, while urging Ecuador to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese firms. He also noted that amidst complex regional dynamics, China remains committed to deepening ties across Latin America and the Caribbean. Noboa described China as an essential partner, highlighting significant growth in two-way trade in recent years. He affirmed Ecuador's commitment to unlocking the full dividends of the bilateral free trade agreement and expanding mutually beneficial ties in finance, mining, renewable energy, infrastructure, and the agriculture and fisheries sectors. In a separate meeting the same morning, Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), expressed the NPC's willingness to deepen multi-level exchanges with Ecuador's National Assembly. Zhao stressed that parliamentary dialogue should cover legislation, supervision, and governance experience to provide legal safeguards for pragmatic bilateral cooperation. Noboa reaffirmed Ecuador's support for China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and backed greater institutional learning between the two legislative bodies.