by Douglas Martinez, Luis Brito
SAN SALVADOR, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Bilateral relations between El Salvador and China have advanced rapidly since the two countries established diplomatic ties in August last year, opening up a variety of exchanges, according to a senior government official.
Sigfrido Reyes, president of the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of El Salvador (PROESA), said the Central American country and China are putting together a robust agenda for cooperation in key areas for bilateral ties, such as trade, science and education.
"I rate these past six months as highly successful," Reyes told Xinhua in an interview on Thursday at his office in San Salvador. "We have made very quick progress."
Since the two countries established diplomatic relations on Aug. 21, 2018, business and government delegations from both sides have exchanged visits and Salvadoran students have already enrolled in Chinese universities.
Salvadoran President Salvador Sanchez Ceren made a state visit to China from Oct. 31 to Nov. 6 in 2018, becoming the first head of state from the country to do so.
Closer ties made it easier for Salvadoran businessmen to present their products and services to Chinese buyers at the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) held in Shanghai in November.
One business encounter alone with visiting Chinese business leaders led to 11 million U.S. dollars in transactions in coffee and liquors, recalled Reyes.
Bilateral trade has potential to grow, as does investment by Chinese companies that have expressed interest in helping develop El Salvador's infrastructure, energy output and telecommunications, said Reyes.
"We need more exchange, participation in more Chinese fairs, the participation of companies, business exchange and forums so both sides can get to know each other better and increase the chances to boost trade," Reyes said.
El Salvador is keen to join the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative to promote global economic growth through trade and infrastructure building, in line with a bilateral memorandum signed by both countries during Ceren's state visit to China.
The newly forged ties have also led to greater Chinese cooperation in humanitarian and educational matters, said Reyes.
While bilateral ties have increased El Salvador's access to China's vast consumer market, they have also given the Central American nation an opportunity to closely examine China's road to development over the past four decades, especially its reform and opening-up process, the PROESA chief said.
