China-Ecuador ties: A decade of strategic partnership, broader future

Ecuadorian President Daniel Roy-Gilchrist Noboa Azín's state visit to China comes at a significant moment, as 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Ecuador comprehensive strategic partnership.

A decade on, the relationship has developed from political trust into a broad partnership with growing economic ties.

The latest visit offers an opportunity not only to review that progress, but also to consider how the relationship can gain new momentum and contribute to broader China-Latin America and Caribbean cooperation.

On Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Noboa in Beijing.

Regardless of how the international landscape changes, Xi said, China has always viewed its relations with Ecuador from a strategic and long-term perspective.

He also expressed readiness to continuously elevate bilateral relations and better benefit the two peoples.

Noboa described China as an important partner and friend of Ecuador, saying bilateral relations had entered a new stage.

The two sides also witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents covering green industry, economic and trade cooperation, the digital economy and people's well-being.

A decade of growing economic ties China and Ecuador established diplomatic relations in 1980 and elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016.

The growth of economic ties provides one clear measure of what has changed over the past decade.

Official data shows that bilateral trade increased more than four times from about $4.1 billion in 2015 to $17.33 billion in 2025.

And in the first half of this year, the two-way trade reached $9.83 billion, up more than 20% year on year, said He Yadong, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce.

The China-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force in May 2024, has further strengthened economic cooperation.

Under the agreement, the two sides will gradually eliminate tariffs on about 90% of tariff lines, with about 60% receiving zero-tariff treatment immediately.