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Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez (R) meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Montevideo, capital of Uruguay, on Jan. 24, 2018. (Xinhua/Ni Ruijie)

MONTEVIDEO, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez said here Wednesday his country "strongly hopes" to push for a free trade agreement with China and is willing to actively take part in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The president made the remarks while meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

"The bilateral ties between Uruguay and China are now at a historical high" after 30 years of diplomatic ties, said Vazquez.

Uruguay "strongly hopes" to push for a free trade agreement with China, said the president, adding that it is ready to use its geographical advantage and serve as a key juncture for the Belt and Road Initiative's advance in the south Atlantic.

For his part, Wang expressed appreciation for the strategic partnership established by Vazquez and Chinese President Xi Jinping during Vazquez's visit to China in 2016.

Wang thanked Vazquez for his support of the Belt and Road Initiative, saying that China will maintain close contact with the Uruguayan side in pushing forward a free trade agreement.