“China Has Played An Active Role in Colombia’s Peace Process” – An Interview with the Ambassador of Colombia to China Oscar Rueda

RARELY do we hear so much news from one country in just a few days. On September 26, the Colombian government signed a historic peace deal with the FARC guerrillas. On October 2, this deal was surprisingly rejected by a plebiscite. Then, on October 7, it was announced that the President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos had won the Nobel Peace Prize.

“A member of the UN Security Council, China supported us in something very important: the designation of a commission accompanying the process to ensure that all parties fulfilled their obligation.”

Meanwhile, in October Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made an official visit to the South American country to reaffirm China’s support for the peace process. We interviewed the new Ambassador of Colombia to China, Mr. Oscar Rueda, to get his thoughts on Colombia’s recent developments.

China Today (CT): Mr. Ambassador, would you like to comment on the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to President Juan Manuel Santos?

Oscar Rueda (OR): The members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee have sent us an excellent message, because the Nobel Peace Prize is given not only to those who have achieved peace, but to those who seek peace. The Nobel Prize has always been understood as recognition, but this Nobel Prize has provided support, because now Colombians – both those who chose “yes” and “no” in the plebiscite – are committed to that peace.

The Nobel Prize gives us the support that we need to achieve what we are aiming for in this process of renegotiation: peace.

CT: Immediately after hearing the adverse outcome of the plebiscite, President Juan Manuel Santos said to the Colombian people: “I have always believed in a wise Chinese proverb that advises searching for opportunities in any situation, and here we have an opportunity.” Is China very much on the mind of President Santos?

OR: Yes, because China has always supported us from its position. And we also had the fortunate coincidence of an official visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Foreign Minister Wang had planned to reiterate that message of support for the peace process, and the lucky coincidence was that Chinese foreign minister arrived in Colombia on the very day the Nobel Peace Prize was announced.

CT: What was China’s decisive role in the peace process?

OR: The problem with these peace talks is credibility. What prevails is generally distrust on both sides. So, international support was a shield against this distrust, and who better to support us in the United Nations than China?

A member of the UN Security Council, China supported us in something very important: the designation of a commission accompanying the process to ensure that all parties fulfilled their obligations. That is one of China’s predominant roles. China has also played an active part in the peace process and in the removal of landmines, for which it has provided us new technology.

CT: What were the results of the Chinese foreign minister’s visit to Colombia?

OR: His visit was very important because Mr. Wang brought a specific message from President Xi Jinping supporting the peace process. But there were also practical issues to do with trade and investment, which for us are very significant. We have a debt to the infrastructure of our country; as part of the peace process we are trying to appropriate a vast part of the country for agricultural development. We told China: “You have a great opportunity for agricultural investment in Colombia.”

One of the agricultural projects that we have already introduced to the Chinese government is to develop something called “the Altillanura” – an initial plan comprising 30,000 hectares and the building of roads to carry products harvested in the area. It will be a profitable investment for China and will also help meet its food import needs.

CT: Around 50 Chinese companies operate in Colombia. Mr. Ambassador, you have mentioned the necessity for infrastructure in your country. What other sectors could attract Chinese investment?

OR: The first Chinese companies that came to Colombia worked in infrastructure and fuel. The road is already open. It might not be easy due to the rules of the bidding process, but it is clear that the path is there. A Chinese company in Colombia has won a tender for a 4G highway in the Department of Antioquia (the central northwestern part of Colombia).

In addition to the fuel industry, telecommunications technology and infrastructure, it seems very important to promote the presence of Chinese companies in agricultural business. Colombia already has a Chinese second-tier bank, because the Bank of China has a branch there, but it would be really good if we could also have a Chinese bank operating in Colombia.

CT: Mr. Ambassador, you have been the Deputy Minister of Tourism for seven years. Therefore, you are aware of the importance of Chinese tourists in the world today. Have you thought of proposing some projects to increase the number of Chinese tourists visiting Colombia?

OR: After what you just said, if I did not show significant progress in the field of tourism, nobody would forgive me! In general, more Chinese travelers are starting to go to South America. The figure is still small in Colombia, but it has begun to show a significant percentage growth. We have an annual growth rate of 50 percent and in 2015 we received approximately 12,000 Chinese travelers.

However, we have to work on facilitating visa applications. We have made progress. Currently Chinese citizens who have a Schengen Visa or a United States Visa no longer need to obtain one for Colombia. Furthermore, documentation visas that previously had to be sent to Bogota City for approval are now partly authorized here in Beijing, which expedites the process. However, I think there is definitely scope for further progress.

The most important thing is to develop a tourist offer in Colombia which appeals to the Chinese market. And in fact, we have it: We plan to continue working with the countries of the Pacific Alliance (Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Mexico) to produce and promote a joint tourist offer.

CT: What are the goals that you want to reach by the end of your tenure as ambassador to China?

OR: I am a newcomer, and I am so happy to be here that I do not want to talk about the end of my tenure. But obviously, I must have objectives. Relations between Colombia and China are very good at the moment, and we have to use that to encourage growth.

We should increase trade, while narrowing the gap, as we have a significant trade deficit with China. We need Colombia to export more products to China, and China to invest more capital in Colombia. The gap is closing, however, and we need to fill that remaining with investments and tourism. That is the challenge.

CT: In an article published in the newspaper El Tiempo in 2005, you wrote: “The first surprise when you arrive in Beijing is not its marvelous pagodas or its beautiful upturned roofs, but the city itself, which is a metropolis of wide avenues and large buildings.” Has China surprised you this time?

OR: I had forgotten about that article I wrote on my first trip to China. After that first trip I was fortunate to come here almost every year, and whenever I came, China always surprised me. China does not lose that ability.

Beyond tourism, development and architectural surprises, this mission as ambassador is giving me the opportunity to see China from another perspective: from the point of view of its unique politics and method of development, called “socialism with Chinese characteristics.”

CT: And what has surprised you most?

OR: Chinese planning. I admire how planning is accorded real value in China. When you have the opportunity to talk with Chinese officials, you realize that there is direction and purpose in their different programs – such as ending poverty – which is something that unites us. We have common problems and, therefore, have much to share and much to learn from each other.