Chinese VP stresses significance of stronger Sino-Argentine cooperation

（Xinhua）  14:37, May 11, 2013  

BUENOS AIRES, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Stronger exchanges and cooperation between China and Argentina is very significant as both countries are actively transforming their models for economic development, Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao said here Friday.

Li, who arrived here on Thursday for a four-day visit to the South American country, made a four-point proposal in talks with Argentine Vice President and Senate Speaker Amado Boudou.

First of all, the two countries should strengthen exchanges in various fields and deepen mutual political trust, said Li.

Leaders of the two countries should keep regular contacts and the governments, legislative bodies and political parties of the two countries should strengthen communication.

Secondly, cooperation between the two countries should be enhanced to boost common development. Consensus should be reached, as soon as possible, on a joint action plan between the two governments and a cooperation and dialogue mechanism for their economic supervision departments so as to mark out and coordinate cooperation in various fields, he said.

Thirdly, the two countries should step up cooperation in multinational organizations and mechanisms, such as the United Nations, the Group of 20, and the World Trade Organization, to safeguard common interests, He said.

Fourthly, the two countries should promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges and enhance traditional friendship.

The Chinese vice president also noted that the purpose of his visit to Argentina is to deepen friendship, increase mutual trust, broaden cooperation and promote development.

Boudou said that this was the first time that a Chinese vice president had visited Argentina since the two countries established diplomatic relations.

He noted that Argentine President Cristina Fernandez had already held fruitful talks with the Chinese vice president.

Argentina will firmly uphold the one-China policy, explore and expand pragmatic cooperation with China in the fields of infrastructure construction and agriculture, and seek a comprehensive development of the bilateral strategic partnership, Boudou said.

He expressed appreciation for China's support to Argentina's claim for the sovereignty of the Malvinas Islands (called the Falkland Islands in Britain).

Boudou also said Argentina values China's role in international affairs, hoping that the two sides can strengthen coordination on major international and regional issues so as to safeguard the common interests of emerging economies.

After their talks, Li and Boudou attended a signing ceremony of cooperation agreements on justice and agricultural trade between the two countries.

China has become Argentina's second largest trade partner, with the bilateral trade volume reaching 17 billion U.S. dollars in 2011.