BEIJING -- China and Colombia should take the latter's formal accession to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as an opportunity to upgrade bilateral cooperation, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with his Colombian counterpart Gustavo Petro, who is in Beijing for the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum.

After their meeting, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of a cooperation plan between the two governments on jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road.

Noting Colombia's significance in Latin America, Xi said China has always regarded its relations with the country from a strategic and long-term perspective.

"This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Colombia. Standing at a new historical starting point, China is willing to make joint efforts with Colombia to advance our strategic partnership and bring more benefits to the two peoples," Xi said.

He called on both sides to consolidate political mutual trust, enhance strategic communication and firmly grasp the direction of bilateral relations.

China is willing to import more quality products from Colombia, and supports Chinese enterprises in investing in the country and participating in its infrastructure construction, Xi said.

He noted that the two sides should further expand cooperation in emerging fields such as wind energy, new energy vehicles, digital economy and artificial intelligence, and jointly achieve green and low-carbon transformation.

Xi urged both sides to ensure the success of the celebrations marking the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations, strengthen cooperation in education, culture, tourism and other fields, enhance people-to-people exchanges, and consolidate the public opinion foundation for friendly ties between the two countries.

Noting that China-LAC (Latin America and the Caribbean) cooperation is an important part of South-South cooperation, Xi stressed that it conforms to the general trend of global development and history, and is in line with the common interests of China and LAC countries.

The successful holding of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum has sent a positive signal to the world for seeking shared development and revitalization, Xi said, hailing the contribution of Colombia to the meeting as the CELAC rotating chair.

China is willing to work with Colombia and other LAC countries to continuously promote the building of a community with a shared future, Xi said.

Petro said Colombia looks forward to further boosting ties with China, and that both sides should deepen political mutual trust and enhance mutual support.

He called on both sides to work on the BRI, expand cooperation in areas such as trade, infrastructure, new energy and artificial intelligence, and improve people's lives.

Noting that the international situation is complex and volatile, Petro said the practices adopted by some countries to pursue unilateral gains are not conducive to the world, and all countries should stand together to respond.

Colombia is willing to work closely with China to safeguard international fairness and justice and protect the common interests of developing countries, he said.