Upon his arrival in Beijing, Petro stressed the importance of China in the world order, and “the good relationship that Colombia has to build around an increasingly multipolar world.”

Regarding the BRI, the statesman considered that it is a global infrastructure construction policy that could benefit Colombia due to its strategic position as a link between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. “That makes us practically a bridge for world trade, which, rather than (becoming) a bridge, could be an opportunity for Colombia in terms of the development of railway infrastructure, which is vital today,” he said.

As part of his visit to China, Petro will talk with his hosts about the national railway network, specifically about the construction of the Bogotá Metro.

The president’s agenda until October 26th includes official talks with his counterpart, Xi Jinping, with the aim of “drawing up a plan for the growth of bilateral relations in the new era” and the signing of cooperation documents, the Chinese Foreign Ministry reported.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs described practical cooperation with Colombia as fruitful and pointed out that “smooth progress has been seen in recent years” in the growth of bilateral ties.

China is Colombia’s second-largest trading partner after the United States, and economic ties between the two have grown significantly in the last 20 years.

jrr/llp/lam/idm