Xi calls for deepening China-Uruguay comprehensive strategic partnership

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called for deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Uruguay during his talks with President of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay Yamandu Orsi in Beijing.

At the invitation of Xi, Orsi is on a state visit to China from Feb 1 to 7.

"As an old Chinese saying goes, 'true friends always feel close to each other no matter the distance between them.' Although China and Uruguay are separated by vast oceans, we share similar ideas and enjoy a deep friendship. We are good neighbors and good partners facing each other across the sea," Xi said.

"In a volatile and turbulent world, China and Uruguay should continue to deepen our comprehensive strategic partnership, strengthen solidarity and cooperation among Global South nations, jointly promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and make greater contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity," said the Chinese president.

Chinese stocks closed lower on Friday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 1.00 percent to 3,880.10 points.

The Shenzhen Component Index closed 0.99 percent lower at 13,352.90 points.

The combined turnover of these two indices totaled 1.66 trillion yuan (about 240.83 billion U.S. dollars), down from 1.84 trillion yuan on the previous trading day.

Shares related to lithography led gains, while grain-related shares, the ecological agriculture sector, and the medical waste treatment sector declined.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, lost 0.73 percent to close at 3,149.60 points.

The STAR Composite Index, which reflects the performance of stocks on China's sci-tech innovation board, closed 0.02 percent higher at 1,631.67 points.