Support from China crucial, says Colombian ambassador

Colombia has entered a critical phrase in its peace process and needs the support of China and the world, Oscar Rueda Garcia, Colombia's ambassador to China, said on Saturday.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed Sino-Colombian relations at the presidential office in Bogota on Oct. 7 local time.

According to Rueda, their discussion included a free trade agreement, a meeting between the two countries' leaders during the APEC summit in Lima, landmine clearance, infrastructure and agriculture.

Wang was the first foreign minister to visit Colombia since voters rejected the peace deal in a referendum and President Santos was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

With the peace deal rejected, the Colombian government and opposition leaders are seeking a new consensus.

Rueda said China has been a long-term supporter of Colombia's peace process, including the support of establishing a special mission at the UN Security Council.

According to China's foreign ministry website, Wang said China would continue its support within the UN Security Council to actively advance Colombia's peace process.

Rueda revealed that once peace is achieved Colombia will be looking forward to investment from China and various major cooperative projects involving technology, infrastructure, tourism and visa procedures. Endi