A Chinese delegation visited Montevideo and said that exchanges between the two countries could grow.

With references to Kung Fu and Luis Suárez, a Chinese delegation exchanged views with Uruguayan legislators on greater possibilities for relations and business opportunities between the two countries.

In his view, bilateral contacts are at a higher level and this will allow for greater opportunities for joint development.

Representatives of the Chinese embassy in Uruguay and members of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China attended a parliamentary commission session on September 6, where topics such as trade relations, investment opportunities, social security and employment were discussed.

The delegation recalled that Uruguayan products such as beef, dairy products and agricultural products are accepted by Chinese consumers and also mentioned that others - such as wool, amethysts or wine - are beginning to
gain popularity in their country.

Conversely, members of the delegation added that during their visit to Montevideo they observed the presence of Chinese cars.

The president of the delegation, Yang Zhenwu, recalled the official visit made by the Uruguayan government to China in November last year. At that time, Presidents Xi Jinping and Luis Lacalle Pou announced that they would elevate relations between the two countries to a comprehensive strategic partnership, something that was endorsed by a declaration signed by the two delegations.

President Xi Jinping also said China is willing to work with Uruguay to turn bilateral trade into a model of cooperation.

"China-Uruguay relations have entered a new stage and a higher level of development and have also injected a strong impetus into China-Mercosur cooperation," he said.

During this official visit, Uruguayan representatives took the opportunity to visit various production units in the Asian country.

The Minister of Industry, Elisa Facio, visited the facilities of the automotive company BYD, one of the leaders in the production of electric vehicles and also in batteries and chargers. The company's executives shared with the minister the technology they are developing to consolidate themselves as leaders in both
segments. Uruguay is betting on electric mobility as an alternative for the decarbonization of transport.

During the meeting, Asian businessmen expressed their interest in expanding into Uruguay with the aim of working together on aspects to promote electric mobility.

Another visit was to the biotechnology company BGI Genomics. Months later, in April of this year, the company opened the first human genetics laboratory in Latin America in Uruguay, with an investment of US$ 45 million.

At the commission, Zhenwu said that the arrival of Chinese capital could contribute to the production of products with higher added value and the creation of jobs. He also pointed to the possibility of an increase in imports of Chinese goods.

He explained that high-quality tools are being perfected in his country.

He exemplified that Uruguayan producers could acquire agricultural tools and equipment that harvest large areas more efficiently.

The visitor also predicted an increase in Uruguayan exports to his country.

Last year China continued to be the leading buyer of Uruguayan goods. Exports reached US$ 2.51 billion, reaching a 22% share of the total. The main product was beef with
US$ 1,473 million, followed by cellulose and soybeans.

Between January and August of this year, the result was repeated, with the Asian country leading the export list with sales of US$ 2.181 billion and a year-on-year increase of 34%. In this period, soybeans and cellulose displaced beef from the first place, according to information from the Uruguay XXI Institute.

Zhenwu commented that growth in food exports is possible.

“There can be two types of cooperation. One between governments, where Uruguay could increase exports and China imports, and another, at a private level, where private companies could come to invest to generate
industries that help or contribute to greater production,” he concluded.

The day before attending Parliament, the Chinese delegation toured Montevideo and, in their view, confirmed the closeness between the two countries.

“Many of those we met knew how to say ni hao (hello) and xie xie (thank you). That is because there is a Confucius Institute in Uruguay, and many Uruguayans have enrolled there to study Chinese,” said the Asian representative.

"When they saw us on the street they asked us: 'Are you Chinese? So you know something about Kung Fu?'" he added.

Another reference was to football. The mention was made of footballers Diego Forlán and Luis Suárez. “They have many fans (in China),” he said.