On December 21, 2013, Bolivia’s first communications satellite “Tupac Katari”, developed by China, was successfully launched into space orbit in Xichang. On that day, President Xi Jinping and Bolivian President Juan Evo Morales Ayma, who was visiting China and observing the launch of the communications satellite, sent congratulations to each other on the successful launch of Bolivia’s communications satellite.
Xi Jinping said in his message of congratulation that for the 28 years since the establishment of diplomatic relationship, China-Bolivia relations have developed smoothly, and pragmatic cooperation in all areas has steadily made headway. The successful development and launch of Bolivia’s communications satellite represents the latest achievements and level of cooperation between China and Bolivia in the field of science and technology, and will play an important role in improving the level of Bolivia’s broadcasting, distance education and telemedicine, and other services. It will also make important contributions to promoting cooperation between China and Latin American countries. China is willing to work with Bolivia to continue to strengthen aerospace cooperation, and to promote the mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation to achieve greater development, bringing benefits to the two countries and the two peoples.
In his speech at the ceremony, Juan Evo Morales Ayma thanked President Xi Jinping’s special message of congratulation and the selfless help of the Chinese government and the Chinese people to Bolivia. He conveyed his sympathy and respects to China’s scientific workers. The successful launch of the communications satellite is of great significance, will play an important role in improving Bolivia’s broadcasting, distance education and telemedicine, and other services, and bring benefits to the Bolivian people. Bolivia admires China's great development achievements, and would like to take this visit as an opportunity to continue to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of aerospace, to further deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas, and to push bilateral relations to a new high.
