Aníbal Cabral, Uruguayan Ambassador to China. (Photo/Fu Cong, Hunan Daily)

"The tender and delicious Uruguayan beef perfectly matches the fresh and flavorful taste of Hunan cuisine. I invite our Hunan friends to taste it." In an interview on November 9 during his first visit to Hunan, Aníbal Cabral, Uruguayan Ambassador to China, said he hoped to take this visit as an opportunity to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation between Uruguay and Hunan in areas such as economy and trade, agriculture, culture, and tourism, and to carry forward the profound friendship and cooperation between Uruguay and China.

Uruguay is located in southeastern South America, with a population of about 3.5 million. It has well-developed agriculture and livestock sectors, with beef, soybeans, and dairy products as major exports. China is the largest export market for Uruguayan beef. Ambassador Cabral led a delegation from the National Meat Institute (INAC) of Uruguay to Hunan on this trip, hoping to deepen exchanges and cooperation in the meat industry between the two sides as their top priority.

"Hunan holds a very important position in China. It has a rich historical and cultural heritage and it is a vibrant land brimming with development vitality," Cabral said, adding that during his visits to Shaoshan and Changsha, he was not only impressed by the hospitality of the Hunan people, but he also saw the broad prospects for cooperation between the two sides.

"More than half of Uruguayan beef is exported to the Chinese market." Cabral said that Uruguayan beef comes from cattle raised in a natural environment. By establishing a traceability system covering the entire life cycle of beef cattle, Uruguay guarantees beef quality, and moreover, produces a unique flavor distinct from that of other countries.

Speaking of Hunan consumers, Cabral believes there is great potential to pair Uruguayan beef with Hunan cuisine. "Uruguayan beef is suitable for hot pot and quick stir-fries because the meat is tender. Quick cooking can help preserve its natural qualities," Cabral said. He expressed hope for closer cooperation between Hunan chefs and Uruguayan producers to jointly develop beef dishes suited to local tastes in Hunan, so that Uruguayan beef can better find its way onto Hunan dining tables.

When asked about the most impressive Hunan dish, Cabral gave an unexpected answer—not beef, but Mao's Braised Pork in Brown Sauce. "Because I greatly admire Chairman Mao Zedong," he said.

In February this year, President of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay Yamandu Orsi, paid a state visit to China, and the two countries signed dozens of cooperation documents. "We are committed to promoting local exchanges and turning the cooperation documents into concrete projects and getting them implemented," Cabral said, adding that Uruguay is actively working to establish closer local cooperation ties with Hunan.

"For example, we are working with Hunan's foreign affairs authority to hold 'Uruguay Week' at an appropriate time in 2027," he said. Uruguay will not only bring specialty products such as beef, wine, and cheese, but will also showcase its cultural charms to the people of Hunan through literary works, contemporary art exhibitions, and film screenings.

Regarding Uruguay's announcement of a visa waiver for Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports, Cabral said this initiative is progressing steadily and is expected to take effect before the end of this year. "We hope that through the visa-free policy, we can attract more Chinese tourists, including those from Hunan, to visit Uruguay."

At the end of the interview, Cabral extended a sincere invitation to the people of Hunan to personally experience Uruguay's beautiful beaches and vast pastures, and to taste delicious beef and lamb. "I’m really fond of Hunan. The people here are very friendly, and you will definitely be warmly welcomed when you come to Uruguay!"

This article is from Hunan Provincial Government. www.enghunan.gov.cn. 

Translator: Pang Yuehui 

Chinese source: Hunan Daily