Chinese President Xi Jinping called for an “equal and orderly multipolar world” during talks with Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi in Beijing on Feb 3, as the two countries moved to deepen their strategic partnership.

Axar.az, citing The Strait Times, that Xi urged cooperation on inclusive economic globalisation and building a shared future, according to a media pool report.

Orsi’s visit—the first by a South American leader since the U.S. military operation in Venezuela—comes at a symbolically important moment for China amid rising global geopolitical tensions and increased Western diplomatic engagement with Beijing.

China is Uruguay’s largest export destination, with strong trade ties in agricultural goods such as beef, soybeans, and wood pulp. During the visit, the two sides signed a joint declaration and 12 cooperation agreements covering areas including technology, environmental protection, trade, and intellectual property. Both leaders said the partnership was at its strongest point and pledged to expand cooperation, including in services, investment and diversified exports.