President leaves Beijing for seven-day journey

A route to closer partnerships

President Xi Jinping said his visit will promote comprehensive cooperative partnerships between China and Latin American countries, in a joint written interview for the media, before leaving Beijing.

Despite the distances between China and Latin America, their friendships have a long history, Xi said, referring to the "Maritime Silk Road" which was opened up centuries ago and then became an important trade route connecting the two hemispheres.

China shares the same ideas on development as Latin American countries, and they share many other common areas of governing and in international affairs, the president said. "Facts have and will continue to prove that our relations are based on open, inclusive, cooperative and win-win development.

"It not only accords with our common interests but also contributes to regional and world peace, stability and prosperity."