Zhao Liji Meets Salvadoran Legislative President Castro

Summary

Zhao Liji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, met with Castro, president of the Salvadoran Legislative Assembly, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on August 20. Zhao noted that tomorrow marks the eighth anniversary of China-El Salvador diplomatic relations. He said China is ready to work with El Salvador to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, deepen political trust, and be friends supporting each other; focus on people's livelihoods and well-being, and be partners for mutual benefit and win-win results; promote people-to-people connectivity and strengthen mutual understanding; and enhance multilateral coordination to safeguard common interests.

He stressed that exchanges between legislative bodies are an important part of bilateral ties, and China is willing to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning. Castro said developing friendly relations with China is of great significance to El Salvador, and expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation in economy, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges. Wang Dongming attended the talks.

Commentary

Eight years after the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-El Salvador economic and trade cooperation has grown from scratch. Salvadoran coffee and sugar exports to China have gradually increased, while China has provided infrastructure financing. New Zealand SMEs should note two key points.

First, China's expansion of agricultural procurement sources in Latin America may crowd out some of New Zealand's market share in China, particularly in dairy and meat, which face competition from countries like Brazil and Argentina. Second, China's investment in port and transport infrastructure in Latin America is reshaping trans-Pacific supply chains, potentially offering new logistics routes for New Zealand exports to South America. The Salvadoran legislative delegation's visit to China emphasised legal safeguards, paving the way for subsequent investment agreements.

It is advisable for NZ SMEs to assess whether the China-Central America trade corridor could lower the barrier to entering that market.

Keywords: Zhao Liji, Castro, El Salvador, China-El Salvador relations, Legislative Assembly, talks, 8th anniversary of diplomatic ties, cooperation

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

全国人大常委会委员长赵乐际8月20日在北京人民大会堂同萨尔瓦多立法大会主席卡斯特罗举行会谈。赵乐际表示，明天将迎来中萨建交8周年纪念日，中方愿同萨方落实好两国元首重要共识，深化政治互信，做相互支持的朋友；聚焦民生福祉，做互利共赢的伙伴；促进民心相通，拉紧相知相亲的纽带；加强多边协作，维护共同利益。他强调，立法机构交往是中萨关系重要组成部分，愿加强交流互鉴。

卡斯特罗表示，发展对华友好关系对萨尔瓦多具有重要意义，愿加强经济、科技、人文等领域合作。王东明参加会谈。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

中国与萨尔瓦多建交8年来，双方经贸合作从零起步，萨尔瓦多对华出口咖啡、蔗糖逐步增长，中国则提供基建融资。新西兰中小企业需关注两点：一方面，中国在拉美拓展农产品采购来源，可能挤占新西兰在中国市场的部分份额，尤其乳制品、肉类面临巴西、阿根廷等拉美国家的竞争；另一方面，中国在拉美港口和交通设施投资正在改变跨太平洋供应链，新西兰出口南美的物流路径可能出现新选择。萨尔瓦多立法机构此次访华强调法律保障，为后续投资协定铺路，建议NZ SME评估是否可通过中国与中美洲的贸易走廊降低进入该市场的门槛。

关键词: 赵乐际, 卡斯特罗, 萨尔瓦多, 中萨关系, 立法大会, 会谈, 建交8周年, 合作

Source: Embassy of the People's Republic of China in New Zealand