Premier Li Keqiang met with President of El Salvador Sánchez Cerén in Beijing on Nov 2.

Sánchez Cerén is on a state visit to China to attend the China International Import Expo.

Premier Li said that the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and El Salvador is a major milestone in the history of bilateral relations, which benefits both the well-being of the two peoples, and the expansion of China’s contact with Central American countries.

President Xi Jinping held fruitful talks with President Cerén on Nov 1, and the two leaders planned the development of bilateral relations for the future, the Premier said.

China appreciates El Salvador’s commitment to the one-China principle and is willing to align the Belt and Road Initiative with El Salvador’s development strategy, to enhance mutual political trust, expand pragmatic cooperation, and promote steady bilateral relations, the Premier added.

He also said that China is willing to promote continuous cooperation with El Salvador in various fields and will make joint efforts with it to address global challenges such as climate change on the basis of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and common development.

China encourages Chinese enterprises to invest in El Salvador, the Premier said, adding that the country is willing to strengthen cultural exchanges with El Salvador and get people from various circles in the two countries involved in the China-El Salvador friendship cause, to consolidate public support for bilateral relations and cooperation.

El Salvador decided to establish diplomatic relations with China in August, and promised to abide by the one-China principle and be committed to developing long-term friendly relations with China, Cerén said.

He also said that over the past two months, since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two sides have adhered to the same philosophy for development and made positive progress in pragmatic cooperation.

El Salvador is willing to strengthen political dialogue with China, enhance friendly exchanges, participate in the Belt and Road construction, promote close communication and coordination within the framework of the United Nations, and advance mutually beneficial cooperation between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and China, he added.