The increase in imports has negatively impacted Uruguay's domestic producers, who have struggled to compete with foreign firms.

[9] In response to the impacts of the financial crisis, then CCP General Secretary Hu Jintao and Uruguayan counterpart Tabaré Vázquez met at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing.

The two foreign ministers expressed positive sentiments regarding past relations, particularly emphasizing the progress in areas of trade, culture, and technology.

[11] During a week-long visit to China in August 2010, then Uruguayan Vice-president Danilo Astori expressed positive expectations in regards to China–Uruguay relations.

Wu Bangguo, a Chinese legislator, shared similar sentiments, expressing interest in expanding trade and cooperation between the two countries.

Wen Jiabao's proposals during this visit encouraged the expansion of trade relations between China and Latin American countries.

[13] In May 2013, then Uruguayan President José Mujica made an official visit to Beijing,[14] meeting CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping.

Xi said the two countries should further joint projects in automobile manufacture, communication, and agriculture, and that he would urge China-Uruguayan cooperation in the development of Uruguayan infrastructure.

Xi stated the importance of China-Uruguayan relations in encouraging other developing nations to pursue economic partnerships with China.

During his visit, an agreement was signed which allowed Chinese companies to aid in the reconstruction of a Uruguayan railway.

[1] On 3 February 2018, in celebration of 30 years of diplomatic relations, then Assistant Foreign Minister Qin Gang attended the Uruguayan Embassy in Beijing.

CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping and then President Tabaré Vázquez exchanged letters, each congratulating the other for the development of diplomatic relations.

[18] In September 2019, Chinese Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe met with then Uruguayan Vice President Lucia Topolansky.

The two national representatives discussed bilateral relations and agreed to work together to advance China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Topolansky expressed interest in advancing bilateral ties with China in areas of trade, politics, economics, and military.

National representatives also emphasized the importance of extending safety measures for Uruguayan food products.

Lacalle Pou echoed Xi's sentiments, expressing interest in deepening relations, particularly in sectors of agriculture, infrastructure, and innovation.

In addition, he praised China's efforts in controlling the COVID-19 outbreak and emphasized the importance of openness to trade and collaboration.

This decline is expected to have a negative impact on Uruguayan industrial sectors and product chains, particularly considering China's role as Uruguay's largest trading partner.

These investments are largely made up of China's use of Uruguay as a tax haven, but precise data from official reports has not been publicized.

[1] According to a 2015 census conducted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, there were 300 Chinese citizens living in Uruguay.