Belt and Road has benefited Bolivia

President Xi Jinping told Bolivian President Luis Arce on Tuesday that China is willing to align Belt and Road cooperation with the South American country's 2025 development plan and elevate bilateral ties to new heights as next year will mark the 40th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with Arce in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

He said relations between the two countries have maintained a good momentum, and the fruitful results from Belt and Road cooperation have brought concrete benefits to their peoples.

China will use the 40th anniversary as an opportunity to work with Bolivia to carry forward traditional friendship, deepen strategic mutual trust and expand mutually beneficial cooperation, he said.

China is Bolivia's second-largest trading partner and its primary source of imports. Last year, bilateral trade reached nearly $2.6 billion, with a year-on-year increase of 34.5 percent, Chinese statistics showed.

Xi stressed the need for the two sides to expand cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, plateau agriculture, green development and digital economy.

He also called on China and Bolivia to deepen coordination within the United Nations and other multilateral institutions to jointly promote solidarity and common development of Global South countries.

Arce said China's huge achievements in its modernization drive have provided important reference and guidance for the development of Bolivia and other countries.

The country is willing to work with China to deepen the strategic partnership, and strengthen cooperation in infrastructure facilities, connectivity and other areas, to bolster Bolivia's national development and improve people's well-being, the Bolivian president said.

As a strategic initiative to guide Bolivia's national development until 2025, the 2025 plan aims to guide the country toward a more prosperous and equitable future.