STORY: China-Uruguay bilateral relationship excellent: former Uruguayan president
SHOOTING TIME: recent footage and file
DATELINE: May 22, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:03
LOCATION: Montevideo
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of views in China and Uruguay
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): JULIO MARIA SANGUINETTI, Former Uruguayan president
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Spanish): JULIO MARIA SANGUINETTI, Former Uruguayan president
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Spanish): JULIO MARIA SANGUINETTI, Former Uruguayan president
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (Spanish): JULIO MARIA SANGUINETTI, Former Uruguayan president

STORYLINE:

"Uruguay's relationship with China is very important in all aspects, both politically and commercially," said Julio Maria Sanguinetti, former Uruguayan president, in a recent interview with Xinhua.

Sanguinetti said that the China-Uruguay bilateral relationship has been excellent.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): JULIO MARIA SANGUINETTI, Former Uruguayan president
"The bilateral relationship has been excellent in every sense. We have maintained a constant dialogue and a permanent presence in both countries, back and forth. That is very, very important."

China and Uruguay established diplomatic relations in 1988, when Sanguinetti served as Uruguayan president.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Spanish): JULIO MARIA SANGUINETTI, Former Uruguayan president
"It was evident that China's importance had been growing, in international weight, in economic weight, in commercial activity, following the path of becoming the great power that it is today. In that context, in Latin America, which had not yet clearly made that recognition, we evaluated the situation and established that relationship, thinking that our country would have an important counterpart from a political point of view and also a relevant commercial actor. Over time, both expectations have been fully fulfilled. Uruguay's relationship with China is very important in all aspects, both politically and commercially."

Sanguinetti said he was impressed by the economic growth in China and changes that occurred in Chinese cities.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Spanish): JULIO MARIA SANGUINETTI, Former Uruguayan president
"I believe the most significant aspect is observing the change -- how in just a few years, Beijing and Shanghai looked different, and the economic growth in the country was evident. I think that is the most relevant and impressive thing: from the Beijing of bicycles to the modern capital it is today."

Sanguinetti spoke highly of the China-proposed Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI) and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI).

SOUNDBITE 4 (Spanish): JULIO MARIA SANGUINETTI, Former Uruguayan president
"As a country, we are in our best tradition, supporting all those initiatives to generate an environment of peace and coexistence. It has been supported, and today, in the current situation of the world, which is very uncertain, I believe that the development of these paths is more relevant than ever."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Montevideo.
(XHTV)