HEFEI — Seated in his steakhouse in Wuhu, Anhui province, Uruguayan businessman Gabriel Martin is engrossed in his work as steaks sizzle on the grill in the bright, open kitchen.

He has just returned from a packed business trip and is already planning his next journey to negotiate new deals.

In February, Martin joined the Uruguayan delegation during its visit to China. "This delegation was larger than before," he said. It included not only beef-processing companies but also cheese producers, software firms and even representatives from the Uruguayan Football Association. "This shows that cooperation between the two countries is expanding into a wider range of sectors," he added.

Driven by his admiration for the prosperous, beautiful and orderly country of China showcased during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Martin came to Shanghai to study in 2012 at the age of 28. Realizing that his homeland produces high-quality beef while China offers a vast consumer market with enormous potential, he gradually ventured into the beef trade.

Over the past decade, his business has seen steady growth. Today, he runs a steakhouse in Wuhu, his Chinese wife Zhang Jin's hometown, and, together with partners, operates a beef import business in Zhengzhou, Henan province.

Martin said ties between China and Uruguay are growing stronger and increasingly pragmatic. China has remained Uruguay's largest trading partner for many years. In February, the two countries signed more than 10 cooperation documents covering investment, trade and other fields. One aspect that particularly impressed Martin is that China has now permitted the import of bezoar from Uruguay.

"It's a valuable ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine and will also bring more income to Uruguayan ranchers," he said.

As someone involved in the beef trade for a long time, Martin has also sensed changes in China's consumer market. "Chinese consumers are paying more attention to high-quality food," he said. "This year, we plan to significantly increase our beef imports. We expect to import about 20 containers a month, possibly even more."

Citing highlights of this year's Government Work Report, such as the continued pursuit of mutually beneficial cooperation, the steady expansion of opening-up, and the promotion of broader international economic flows, he said, "These policies reflect China's continuous commitment to opening-up, which aligns closely with my own experience of living and working here for more than a decade."

With the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port and its increasingly efficient flow of goods, people and capital, Martin has begun discussions with partners in the FTP to further expand his company's international operations. He also plans to travel to Uruguay and Brazil soon to finalize trade agreements with his South American partners for the coming year.

"Over the years, it has become increasingly easier for foreigners to do business in China," Martin said. "I often tell my foreign friends that China is becoming more open, and its policies have become more accessible and business-friendly."

Although Uruguay and China are far apart geographically, Martin believes the two countries are growing closer. Uruguay is the first country in the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) to sign a memorandum of understanding on the Belt and Road Initiative with China. "The BRI helps bridge the geographical distance and brings people closer," Martin said.

From the Pampas grassland to the banks of the Yangtze River, Martin often says China has become his second home. "I've always believed the Chinese market will continue to grow," he said. "And our cooperation will only keep expanding."

Xinhua - China Daily