Full coverage: Xi Visits Ecuador, Peru and Chile, Attends APEC Summit

With diplomatic ties forged in 1980, bonds between China and Ecuador are now at a peak. Two-way trade stood at $4 billion in 2015, 4 times the volume 10 years before. It makes China the third biggest trade partner for Ecuador.

Ecuador is a major destination for Chinese investment with China pouring over $10 billion  into Ecuador over the years. Financing has gone toward major infrastructure projects such as hydropower plants and such investment has helped shift Ecuador from a country short of energy to a power exporter.

High-tech cooperation is another highlight. Chinese companies have helped equip Ecuador with national ECU 911 emergency response system. This system played a key role in rescue efforts following a powerful magnitude-7.8 in April this year. In 2013, a Chinese rocket brought Ecuador's first-ever satellite into the space.

Cultural relations are also growing. Over 18,000 Chinese tourists visited Ecuador last year. 500 Ecuadoran students are now in China as exchange students. In August, Ecuador and China waived visa requirements in a bid to increase two-way tourism, in yet another sign of closer ties.