Morales hails China's cooperation, investment in Bolivia

Bolivian President Evo Morales on Friday highlighted China's investment and cooperation across various development projects in Bolivia.

"We don't feel alone. China's presence is felt in the cooperation and investments that the Asian country carries out (in Bolivia)," said Morales during a public address in the southern town of Gran Chaco de Tarija, accompanied by Chinese Ambassador Wu Yuanshan.

Asking the audience to give a round of applause to the ambassador, the president said that Chinese loans to Bolivia had no conditions attached, unlike those seen in the past from the United States and international organizations.

"If we accommodate IMF loans, we would have to submit to privatization policies and lose our national heritage," he said.

The event was held for the handover of the asphalt for the Carapari-Palos Blancos highway, which was built with Chinese expertise.

Morales added that he planned to seek Chinese fund for the building of a new airport in Gran Chaco de Tarija.

A number of Chinese companies have invested in Bolivia, including Sinohydro, Sinosteel, Sinopec, China International Water and Electric Corp, CAMC Engineering, Shenzhen Vicstar and China Harzone.

According to data from the Bolivian Institute of Foreign Trade, China is the largest exporter to Bolivia, accounting for around 18 percent of the country's total imports. It is also the fifth-largest destination for Bolivian exports, mostly raw materials and minerals. Enditem