El Salvador Highlights $500M Bitcoin Success in Talks with Chinese Ambassador
El Salvador’s Vice President Félix Ulloa met with Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yanhui to talk about the country’s economic boom, partly driven by being the first in the world to adopt Bitcoin.
The Dec 23 meeting posted on X (formerly Twitter) was about strengthening diplomatic ties and digital and economic infrastructure.
Ulloa talked about El Salvador’s digital progress, giving credit to the Bitcoin Office under President Nayib Bukele for the country’s reserves which now surpass $500 million. As one of the first countries to make Bitcoin legal tender in September 2021, El Salvador has accumulated over 6,000 BTC worth of around $560 million.
Also discussed were big projects like “El Salvador Vuela” to modernize aeronautical infrastructure and “Cable Submarino” to upgrade submarine cable networks. These are aligned with the government’s plan to position the country as a tech and connectivity hub.
Digital Initiatives Backed by Bilateral Cooperation
1. Strengthening Diplomatic and Economic Ties
Ambassador Zhang Yanhui delivered a letter from Chinese Vice President Han Zheng to El Salvador supporting the country’s development. They talked about further cooperation to modernize digital and physical infrastructure.
2. Digital Connectivity and Financial Integration
“Cable Submarino” and support from the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) will improve air travel and digital networks. These are part of the broader economic plans to increase regional presence and accessibility.
Bitcoin as a Long-Term Economic Strategy
El Salvador’s Bitcoin is at the heart of the economic plan. Despite IMF pressure to slow down Bitcoin related projects like the Chivo Wallet, the government is not backing down. The National Bitcoin Office is planning to accelerate purchases, considering Bitcoin as a long term asset to diversify the economy.
China meeting also showed the world’s attention to El Salvador’s digital first approach. Bitcoin is still controversial globally but El Salvador is pushing its financial and tech innovation.
