SANTIAGO, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Former Chilean President and Senator Eduardo Frei on Friday hailed Chile-China ties and called for further enhancement of bilateral cooperation.
Since Chile and China forged diplomatic ties 43 years ago, the two countries have enjoyed friendly relations in political, economic and trade, and cultural areas, Frei said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.
The two sides need to continue the joint efforts to amplify and enrich their relations, added the senator, who was about to lead a parliamentary delegation to visit China.
China is Chile's biggest trading partner, and the two countries have inked an agreement to protect and facilitate two-way investment, Frei continued.
However, Chinese investment in Chile stood at only 100 million dollars, he noted, urging the two countries to further promote investment and establish joint ventures.
The two sides, he said, should also enhance cultural and university exchanges, thus allowing more Chilean youths to learn the Chinese language and culture in China.
It is a positive step that the Chinese government has taken the realization of the "Chinese Dream" of national rejuvenation as one of its priorities, he said.
The Chilean people, he added, is also striving for their own dream of constructing a society with more justice, solidarity and public participation.
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