CHINA / DIPLOMACY
Uruguay Presidential Office describes Orsi's 7-day visit as ‘historic’; expert says it provides a guiding example for future China-Latin America engagements
Published: Feb 08, 2026 01:08 PM
President of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay Yamandu Orsi posing for a photo with the Great Wall on February 2, 2026 in Beijing. Photo: official X account of the Uruguayan presidency

President of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay Yamandu Orsi posing for a photo with the Great Wall on February 2, 2026 in Beijing. Photo: official X account of the Uruguayan presidency


The Office of the President of Uruguay on Saturday posted a recap on Instagram of President Yamandú Orsi's seven-day state visit to China, which took place from February 1 to 7, highlighting achievements in five areas: diplomacy, production, science, education, and cooperation.
 
The post, published on the very day Orsi concluded his China visit, described the visit as a successful “historic” official trip, noting that it consolidated Uruguay’s position as a strategic partner on the world stage.
 
The post outlined achievements across various sectors over the seven-day period. On the diplomatic front, it said that Uruguayan president had held a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, deepening the two countries’ 38-year diplomatic ties.
 
In the production sector, the Office noted new agreements reached between Uruguay and China, stating that they will boost exports from Uruguay’s livestock and fisheries industries. 
 
The two sides will also enhance technical exchanges in the meat industry through the National Meat Institute of Uruguay, the post said.
 
In science and technology, the two countries signed an agreement on innovation in artificial intelligence and bionanomedicine, as well as on establishing a bilateral joint laboratory.
 
The Technological University of Uruguay (UTEC) will introduce new technologies for pest control and water resource management, according to the post.
 
The post also said that cooperation has been reached on intellectual property and emergency risk management.
 
Wu Hongying, former director of the Latin American Office of the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times that these achievements of the Orsi’s China visit indicate that China-Uruguay economic and trade cooperation is gradually shifting from traditional areas to emerging sectors, broadening the scope of collaboration. 
 
Both sides have now seized the opportunity presented by the technological revolution to upgrade the content of bilateral cooperation, which in turn releases significant potential for the future development of both countries, Wu added.
 
The Office accompanied the post with 10 pictures and video clips, including footage of the meeting between the two presidents during the visit, photos of relevant officials signing the agreements, and images of speeches.
 
A photo shows Orsi delivering a speech with a caption noting that he addressed more than 170 Chinese entrepreneurs. An excerpt of his remarks is also printed on the photo: "Our strategic geographical location, our institutional stability, and our commitment to openness position us as a reliable logistics hub in the South Atlantic."
 
Another photo features Uruguay's Foreign Affairs Minister Mario Lubetkin saying, "China and Uruguay will promote a more active role for Latin America and the Caribbean on the world stage."
 
Wu said the Uruguayan president's visit to China at the beginning of the new year not only sets a positive tone for the development of China-Uruguay relations in 2026 but also provides a guiding example for future engagements between Latin American countries and China.
 
Orsi’s visit to China marks his first trip to the country since he took office in 2025. This makes Orsi the sixth foreign leader to visit China and hold meetings with the Chinese leader since the beginning of 2026, following leaders of South Korea, Ireland, Canada, Finland and most recently the UK.
 
During his seven-day visit, Orsi traveled to both Beijing and Shanghai. In addition to high-level engagements, he visited cultural landmarks such as the Great Wall and Palace Museum in Beijing, played soccer at a youth football club, and toured Beijing Foreign Studies University, where he engaged in warm exchanges with students. 
 
In Shanghai, he visited several famous attractions including the Yuyuan Garden, took a night cruise along the Huangpu River, and enjoyed a jazz performance at the Peace Hotel.
 
Throughout Orsi visit to China, he actively posted updates on Instagram, with his posts amounting to over 20, garnering widespread attention from netizens.
 
Wu noted that Orsi’s active social-media posts suggest that China’s well-ordered society, the growing appeal of its traditional culture, and its buoyant economic growth have left a profound impression on the president; the posts can also serve as a window for netizens to better understand China.