Xi's highest-level reception in Ecuador signals deep bilateral friendship

The fact that Ecuador has accorded Chinese President Xi Jinping the highest-level reception demonstrates the close relationship and friendship between the two countries.

According to the Ecuadoran Public Ceremonial Regulations, the foreign minister is responsible for the reception of visiting heads of state at the airport.

However, upon Xi's arrival on Thursday, President Rafael Correa received him in person and held a welcome ceremony for him, a practice rarely seen in international politics.

Ecuador was hit by a magnitude-7.8 earthquake in April this year, killing nearly 700 people and injuring about 5,000 others.

China was one of the first countries to supply humanitarian aid after the quake, providing Ecuador with cash of 2 million U.S. dollars and aid worth 9.2 million dollars. Chinese companies operating in Ecuador also dispatched staff and resources to the affected regions for disaster relief.

President Correa thanked China for its support in Ecuador's post-quake relief and national development, adding that the Latin American country is willing to deepen win-win cooperation with the Chinese side.

"China will take an active part in Ecuador's post-quake rebuilding, and continue to provide support in housing, medical treatment, human resources and disaster prevention and reduction," Xi said Friday at the headquarters of Ecuador's national emergency response system, ECU-911.

The Chinese leader's visit to Ecuador, the first by a Chinese head of state in 36 years, has been fruitful.

Xi has held talks with top leaders of the country, witnessed the signing of a number of cooperation agreements, met with the press, and visited the ECU-911 headquarters. Endi