Chinese President Xi Jinping told Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi on Tuesday that China and Uruguay should join forces to promote what he described as an equal and orderly multipolar world and a form of globalisation that is inclusive and beneficial for all countries.
Orsi’s visit to Beijing is notable as the first by a South American head of state since the United States’ military action in Venezuela in January, which resulted in the capture of then‑President Nicolás Maduro.
In his remarks, Xi emphasised the need for the two nations to deepen cooperation and build what he called a community with a shared future for humanity.
The meeting occurs amid a wave of visits to China by Western leaders this year, including Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Canada’s Mark Carney and Finland’s Petteri Orpo, underscoring Beijing’s continued diplomatic activity on the global stage.
Orsi said the purpose of his trip was to strengthen Uruguay’s role internationally and to create opportunities for investment and development. He arrived in Beijing with a delegation of around 150 people, including business figures, and his itinerary runs through to 7 February, with a stop planned in Shanghai.
Observers say the timing of the visit sends an important message: it shows that countries in South America remain interested in engaging with China despite greater geopolitical divisions worldwide.
Economic ties between the two countries are strong. China has been Uruguay’s top export destination, purchasing commodities such as wood pulp, soybeans and beef, and Uruguay recorded a trade surplus with China in the first half of 2025. Uruguay imports Chinese machinery, electronics and chemicals.
During the visit, China and Uruguay signed a joint declaration to deepen their strategic partnership along with a set of 12 cooperation agreements spanning science and technology, environmental projects, meat trade, and intellectual property.
Orsi reiterated Uruguay’s interest in broadening trade, not just in goods but also in services and investment, noting there is untapped potential particularly in service exports that have been successful in markets such as the United States and Europe but not yet fully realised with China.
