Colombia’s ambassador to China Guillermo Velez resigned his post Friday at a ceremony in Beijing after seven years in the country working to improve bilateral relations between the two nations.
“I take away a positive balance in all respects: politicians have had high level of visits in both directions … while, in business, when I came to China the total volume [of trade] was $500 million and last year it was $7 billion,” reports newspaper El Espectador.
Velez, reviewing the positive changes in relations between China and Colombia such as increased bilateral trade, said that the governments of the two countries “no longer feel far away.”
The outgoing ambassador said that he now intends to dedicate more time to his family rather than taking another diplomatic post, although he will still continue to visit China to help advance the development of ties between the two countries.
“There is investment, tourism, knowledge … I am without a doubt very happy and I believe that a new path begins, in the 21st century, which will be the century of China and Latin America,” he said.
Carlos Urrea has been appointed as Colombia’s new ambassador to China.