Chinese minister attends inauguration of new Colombian president

Chinese Justice Minister Wu Aiying, a special envoy of the Chinese government, attended Saturday's inauguration ceremony of new Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos.

During her stay in Bogota, Wu also held talks with Santos and outgoing Colombian President Alvaro Uribe.

About 5,000 people attended the inauguration ceremony, including over 10 foreign heads of state.

During their talks on Friday, Santos told Wu that Colombia is ready to work with China to enhance exchanges and cooperation in various areas and promote common development.

Colombia-China relations have become ever closer in recent years and Colombia's new administration and himself attach great importance to developing ties with China, he said.

He said the economies of Colombia and China are highly complementary and there is a huge potential for bilateral economic cooperation. More Chinese entrepreneurs are welcomed to invest in Colombia and more Chinese tourists are welcomed to visit the country, he said.

For her part, Wu said China is ready to work with Colombia to enhance mutual political trust, deepen economic cooperation and further promote exchanges and cooperation in such areas as justice, education, health, tourism and science and technology, so as to promote the sound and fast development of the friendly relations between the two countries.