BEIJING – Chile’s Foreign Minister Roberto Ampuero praised China on Friday for its commitment to free trade in the midst of rising protectionism in the world.

Ampuero is visiting China between Sept. 13-15 to boost trade ties between the two countries.

“Our entire strategy of growth, modernization, incorporation into the world and poverty reduction has been possible because Chile practices and values free trade,” Ampuero said to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during their meeting held at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, located in western Beijing.

Amid the protectionist tendencies currently prevailing in the world, for example in the United States, which has declared a trade war on China, the Asian country and the second largest economy is making a tremendous global effort to defend free exchanges, the Chilean minister added.

Ampuero said that the two countries are being called upon to deepen their ties, two years before celebrating half a century of bilateral relations in 2020, “which forces us to look ahead ambitiously toward the future.”

On the second day of his official visit, Ampuero also met Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan and took part in two meetings with the country’s businessmen.