China and Nicaragua agreed today to elevate their diplomatic relations to the level of a “strategic partnership,” as reported by the state-run agency Xinhua.
The decision was formalized after Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in a telephone conversation with his Nicaraguan counterpart, Daniel Ortega, as stated by the outlet.
Both countries, marking the second anniversary of the restoration of their diplomatic relations this week, signed a Free Trade Agreement last August, set to take effect in 2024.
According to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two countries signed a joint declaration in which Beijing acknowledges Nicaragua’s “successes” in defending its independence, maintaining stability, developing its economy, and improving the welfare of its people.
Nicaragua, in turn, declares its firm adherence to the principle of the One China policy and strongly opposes the independence of Taiwan.
Both presidents acknowledged “the momentum that the development of Sino-Nicaraguan ties has gained over the past two years” in their conversation, as per China’s Foreign Ministry.
“Xi and Ortega fully recognized the progress achieved in areas such as mutual political trust, practical cooperation in various fields, and collaboration in multilateral forums since the restoration of relations,” according to the statement.
As a result, both parties “agreed to elevate the relationship to the level of a strategic partnership,” a decision deemed to be in the interests of both countries and conducive to mutual development and prosperity.
They also “reaffirm” their “firm mutual support” regarding their “vital interests and fundamental concerns.” Nicaragua expresses support for “all efforts of the Chinese government to achieve reunification” and “firmly supports China’s position on issues concerning Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Tibet, among others.”
Meanwhile, Beijing “strongly supports the Nicaraguan people” in “choosing their own development path in line with their national conditions,” safeguarding their “independence and sovereignty,” and “categorically rejecting foreign interference in their internal affairs”.
Trade, infrastructure, security
Add that the upgrade in ties will result in ‘more exchanges and cooperation among different departments, across multiple levels, such as governments, legislative bodies, and political parties,’ fostering ‘policy coordination’ and ‘mutual learning.’
Meanwhile, the Nicaraguan side hopes to ‘maintain open, green, and clean cooperation’ and highly values the signing of the FTA between the two countries ‘to expand the volume and raise the level of bilateral trade.’
Beijing assures it will support its companies to invest in Nicaragua and participate in local infrastructure construction.
‘The Chinese side welcomes more Nicaraguan products entering the Chinese market,’ according to the text, while the Nicaraguan side hopes to ‘expand its exports to China’ and ‘strengthen the business environment to facilitate Chinese companies’ investments.’
Additionally, both countries look forward to ‘cooperating’ on security matters, with ‘personnel exchanges and technological training,’ as well as increasing exchanges in areas such as culture, tourism, education, healthcare, media, and sports, among others.
Mutual Support
“China and Nicaragua have broad common interests and similar positions on international affairs, so they will further support each other to uphold an international system centered on the United Nations and international law,” says the text, emphasizing that both parties jointly reject “hegemonism and the policy of force.”
“We oppose the politicization and instrumentalization of the human rights issue and the interference of any country in the internal affairs of others under that pretext or the imposition of sanctions,” it adds.
Diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Nicaragua were initially established in December 1985, during the first Sandinista government (1979-1990).
In 1990, the government of Violeta Barrios de Chamorro established ties with Taiwan, and finally, on December 10, 2021, China and Nicaragua reestablished diplomatic relations.
According to official data, exchanges between China and Nicaragua totaled $760 million (about 692 million euros) last year.