in an apparent jab at the United States. Xi was speaking during talks in Beijing with Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi, the first South American leader to visit China since US special forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro last month -- an operation that Beijing condemned as a violation of sovereignty. Orsi follows a slew of leaders to have visited China in recent months, seeking to boost ties with the world's second-largest economy to hedge against US President Donald Trump's increasingly unpredictable administration. "The international situation is fraught with intertwined turmoil, and unilateral bullying is intensifying," Xi told Orsi, according to state broadcaster CCTV. China "is willing to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with Uruguay in the Global South, jointly promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalisation," he said. Beijing "supports Latin American and Caribbean countries in safeguarding their sovereignty, security, and development interests", Xi added. During the meeting, Orsi warned of risks from the "challenging international and regional scenario". China is Uruguay's top trading partner, largest export destination and a key buyer of agricultural products such as soybeans and beef. Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brands have also grown their market share in Uruguay, accounting for almost a third of EV sales last year. Beijing has invested billions of dollars in Latin America as part of its quest for natural resources and through its vast Belt and Road infrastructure project. (Bssnews)