China, Nicaragua Upgrade Relations to Strategic Partnership
© Xinhua/Xin YueweiChinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Cao Jianming (3rd R), also vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, meets with Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega (2nd L) in Managua, Nicaragua, Jan. 10, 2022.
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BEIJING, December 20 (Sputnik) - China upgraded diplomatic relations with Nicaragua to a strategic partnership on Wednesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
Earlier today, Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone conversation with his Nicaraguan counterpart, Daniel Ortega, in which both praised the rapid development of bilateral relations after they were restored two years ago.
"[The two leaders] have unanimously decided to upgrade relations between the two countries to the level of strategic partnership," the ministry said in a statement.
Xi and Ortega confirmed their countries' readiness to support each other in matters regarding their core interests and concerns. In particular, Nicaragua reaffirmed its commitment to the One-China principle and made clear that the Chinese government is the only lawful representative of the country.
In August, China and Nicaragua signed a free trade agreement which was designed to allow the two countries to achieve "a high level of mutual openness in such areas as trade in goods, services and access to investment markets."
In December 2021, Managua reestablished diplomatic relations with Beijing after severing ties with Taiwan.