On March 24, 2009, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez in Ziguangge, Zhongnanhai.

Wen said over the years, China and Uruguay have supported and helped each other and always maintained sound relations. In the face of the current grim international financial and economic situation, developing nations should strengthen confidence and join hands to cope with the challenges and safeguard common interests. China is ready to work with Uruguay to make unremitting efforts to this end.

China and Uruguay should take effective measures to achieve a diversified and balanced two-way trade structure and expand mutual investment to raise bilateral economic and trade cooperation to a higher level, Wen said. The Chinese Premier also pledged that China would intensify the dialogue and communication with the Common Market of the South and join hands with Uruguay and other countries to develop the Latin American market for mutual benefit. "It's not only conducive to resolving the current difficulties, but also helpful to injecting new vigor into South-South cooperation," Wen noted.

Vazquez said despite the distance keeping the two countries apart, both sides share similar positions on many major issues of principle. Both sides are committed to safeguarding and promoting world peace and development. The international financial crisis has profound influence on developing countries, he said, adding that Uruguay is willing to enhance cooperation with China to cope with the financial crisis and oppose trade protectionism. Uruguay would also like to work with China to explore new ways and approaches of cooperation, complement each other with their respective advantages and promote diversified development of trade and investment, to achieve mutual benefit and bring benefit to both peoples.