Noboa’s China agenda: energy, shrimp, and debt talks
Ecuador's president heads to Beijing with a wish list: mining cash, relief for 14 suspended shrimp exporters, and softer terms on roughly $2.2 billion in Chinese debt. The post Noboa’s China agenda: energy, shrimp, and debt talks appeared first on The Rio Times .
Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa is visiting China from August 16 to 23 at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. The trip includes discussions on energy and mining investment, relief for 14 suspended shrimp exporters, and easier repayment terms on roughly $2.2 billion in Chinese debt. This is the first leg of a broader Asia tour that includes Singapore and Vietnam.
The agenda is a list of Latin America's classic asks: investment, trade access, and debt relief. Noboa is scheduled to meet with Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and NPC Standing Committee Chairman Zhao Leji. The meetings aim to deepen bilateral ties and attract investment. The main topics are debt relief, energy and mining projects, and the shrimp sector.
China is Ecuador's top trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $17.33 billion in 2025. The shrimp sector, which employs tens of thousands of people, faces suspensions and trade restrictions, causing concern. Ecuador owes about $2.2 billion to China, down from $9.6 billion in 2016. A potential PowerChina deal for the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant, built with Chinese financing, is reported at up to $1.5 billion over 25 years. The outcome of the talks is still pending as of August 17, with no agreements or figures announced.
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