China and Colombia have signed a new cooperation agreement to jointly advance the development of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, marking a significant step forward in their bilateral relations.

The agreement was formalized during a meeting on Wednesday between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who is currently visiting Beijing to attend the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the China–CELAC Forum, which brings together countries from Latin America and the Caribbean.

According to China’s official news agency Xinhua, President Xi stated that Colombia’s official accession to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) presents a strategic opportunity to upgrade and expand cooperation between the two countries.

He emphasized that China’s collaboration with Latin American and Caribbean nations is a vital part of South–South cooperation, aligned with global development trends and the shared interests of both sides.

Xi added that China is ready to work closely with Colombia and other regional countries to continuously promote the building of a shared future and a more inclusive, cooperative international order.