CRI听力:Chinese Premier Arrives in Colombia for Official Visit

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has arrived in Columbia's capital, Bogota.

As part of his 2nd stop in his 4-nation Latin American tour, Li Keqiang is scheduled to meet Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos.

China's Ambassador to Colombia, Wang Xiaoyuan, says a series of deals are due to be signed as part of the Premier's visit.

"Premier Li has a tight schedule in Colombia, less than 24 hours. The premier will hold talks with President Santos in the afternoon before a series of deals are signed. We're expecting a total of 12 cooperative agreements, ranging from trade, investment, infrastructure construction, manufacturing, agriculture and culture."

The Chinese premier is also due to take part in a seminar on people-to-people exchanges between China and Latin America.

Wang Xiaoyuan says a better understanding of one-another's cultures is good for business.

"People-to-people exchanges form the foundation for the relations between different countries. Trade and economy are important, but I believe exchanges of ideas and thoughts are more significant. Culture and arts are universal. With such a foundation, there will be much broader space for economic and trade cooperation."

Chinese Nobel laureate Mo Yan is scheduled to be part of the cultural seminar.

Li Keqiang's visit also coincides with the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Colombia.

China is now Colombia's second-largest trade partner.

Two-way trade increased almost 50 percent year-on-year last year, topping over 15-billion U.S. dollars.

Li Keqiang has arrived in Columbia after making his first stop in Brazil.

He's also scheduled to make stops in Peru and Chile.