The visit marks Noboa's first official trip to Asia since assuming the presidency. During the meeting, both presidents signed agreements worth an estimated $3.2 billion, including the construction of a hydroelectric plant in the Ecuadorian Amazon, the expansion of the port of Manta and the installation of a technological innovation center in Quito.
Xi Jinping praised Ecuador as “a strategic partner in Latin America” and stressed the importance of strengthening South-South cooperation. Noboa, for his part, affirmed that “this alliance will allow Ecuador to move towards a more sustainable economy connected to the world”.
In addition to economic agreements, issues of cyber security, educational exchange and cooperation in public health were discussed. Noboa will also visit Shanghai and Shenzhen before continuing his tour to Spain and Italy.
Regional analysts believe that this rapprochement reinforces China's presence in Latin America and could generate tensions with the United States, which has expressed concern about Beijing's growing influence in the region.