China and Uruguay have maintained stable trade and political ties over the years. Our reporter Chen Mengfei takes a closer look. 

CHEN MENGFEI Beijing "Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi is in China for a week-long state visit, leading a large delegation of business leaders and government officials aimed at deepening bilateral ties. 

And beef offers a clear illustration of just how important this relationship has become. 

This steak, imported from Uruguay, represents one of the pillars of the country's economy. Last year, beef exports accounted for around three percent of Uruguay's gross domestic product, with China as one of its largest markets."

ZHOU MENG Deputy General Manager of International Business, COFCO Joycome "When we visited Uruguay recently, producers said about half of their beef is going to China. The cattle there are raised free-range, and the country has a well-established tracking system, so their beef is reliable in quality and safety."

CHEN MENGFEI Beijing "China is not only a major buyer of Uruguayan beef. It is also a key destination for the country's soybeans and pulp exports. Strong Chinese demand helped China overtake Brazil as Uruguay's top export destination back in 2013 – a position it has held ever since. 

Beyond trade, high-level political engagement is also firmly on the agenda. 

Uruguay has long been a consistent partner of China. 

Since 2013, every Uruguayan president has made an official visit to China during their term. 

President Orsi's visit also coincides with February 3 – the 36th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Uruguay. 

But while ties between China and Uruguay remain warm, the broader regional and global backdrop is far from calm."

CHEN MENGFEI Beijing "How might recent US actions in Venezuela factor into President Orsi's visit to China, if at all?"

XU TIANQI Deputy Director of the Areas Study Department, RDCY "At present, Trump has warned Latin American countries not to cooperate with China. Yet Uruguay, one of the wealthiest countries in the region, still chose to engage with China, ignoring these U.S. warnings. I think this clearly has some strategic significance."

It is only one month into 2026, and China has already hosted five leaders from around the world. While several of these visits have been framed as efforts to repair or reset relations, Uruguay stands out for its steady and consistent commitment to its partnership with China. 

Chen Mengfei, CGTN, Beijing.