BEIJING, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- The fact that Ecuador has accorded Chinese President Xi Jinping the highest-level reception demonstrates the close relationship and friendship between the two countries.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan are greeted by Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa and his wife Anne Malherbe at the airport in Quito, Ecuador, Nov. 17, 2016. Xi arrived here Thursday for a state visit to Ecuador. (Xinhua)
According to the Ecuadorian Public Ceremonial Regulations, the foreign minister is responsible for the reception of visiting heads of state at the airport.
However, upon Xi's arrival on Thursday, President Rafael Correa received him in person and held a welcome ceremony for him, a practice rarely seen in international politics.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (C) attends a welcoming ceremony held by Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa (L) at the airport in Quito, Ecuador, Nov. 17, 2016. Xi arrived here Thursday for a state visit to Ecuador. (Xinhua)
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan are greeted by Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa and his wife Anne Malherbe at the airport in Quito, Ecuador, Nov. 17, 2016. Xi arrived here Thursday for a state visit to Ecuador. (Xinhua)
Ecuador was hit by a magnitude-7.8 earthquake in April this year, killing nearly 700 people and injuring about 5,000 others.
China was one of the first countries to have supplied humanitarian aid after the quake, providing Ecuador with a cash of 2 million U.S. dollars and aid worth 9.2 million dollars. Chinese companies operating in Ecuador also dispatched staff and resources to the affected regions for disaster relief.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa witness the signing of document on bilateral cooperation after their talks in Quito, Ecuador, Nov. 17, 2016. (Xinhua)
President Correa thanked China for its support in Ecuador's post-quake relief and national development, adding that the Latin American country is willing to deepen win-win cooperation with the Chinese side.
Chinese President Xi Jinping lays a wreath at the monument to independence heroes in Quito, Ecuador, Nov. 18, 2016. (Xinhua)
"China will take an active part in Ecuador's post-quake rebuilding, and continue to provide support in housing, medical treatment, human resources and disaster prevention and reduction," Xi said Friday at the headquarters of Ecuador's national emergency response system, ECU-911.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) and Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa inaugurate a joint laboratory at the headquarters of Ecuador's national emergency response system ECU-911 in Quito, Ecuador, Nov. 18, 2016. (Xinhua)
The Chinese leader's visit to Ecuador, the first by a Chinese head of state in 36 years, has been fruitful.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (4th R) meets with Ecuadorian National Assembly President Gabriela Rivadeneira (2nd L) in Quito, Ecuador, Nov. 18, 2016. (Xinhua)
Xi has held talks with top leaders of the country, witnessed the signing of a number of cooperation agreements, met with the press, and visited the ECU-911 headquarters. Enditem
