Chinese President Xi Jinping will kick off state visits to Ecuador, Peru and Chile beginning today on November 17. He will also attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders meetings in Lima, Peru, as part of the weeklong trip.

While in Ecuador, Xi will talk with President Rafael Correa, meet with reporters, attend launch ceremonies for Chinese-assisted projects and witness the signing of agreements.

It will be the first visit by a Chinese President to Ecuador since diplomatic ties were established in 1980, according to Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao.

China will announce assistance plans and issue loans to Ecuador during Xi's visit, said Zhang Xiangchen, a senior official with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.

China will offer to help with rebuilding work, including the construction of hospitals, houses and roads in the country, which was hit by a strong earthquake in April, Zhang said. China has already provided $2 million as well as $60 million worth of materials for quake relief, he added.

(Source: Chinadaily.com.cn)