BUENOS AIRES, July 17 -- Though far apart and culturally different, China and Argentina, two developing countries, share the same pursuit of prosperity.

After establishing a strategic partnership in 2004, the two countries have seen rapid development of their ties, especially in the fields of trade and economy, which has spurred greater wealth for both.

INCREASED COMMERCE

On May 22, in the Argentine capital and port city of Buenos Aires, 72 brand new passenger train cars were very eye-catching.

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and Minister of Transport and the Interior Florencio Randazzo unveiled the train cars purchased from China to renovate the capital's main Sarmiento railway line, which links the downtown area with the western outskirts.

As Argentina tries to modernize its inner-city rail system, Chinese-made trains and equipment have won the approval of government decision-makers.

The trains are just one of the many examples of the growing strategic partnership between the two countries in recent years, when bilateral trade rose from 4.107 billion U.S. dollars in 2004 to 16.86 billion dollars in 2013.

Today, China is Argentina's biggest market for agricultural exports, its second-largest trade partner and its third leading investor.

The potential bilateral trade opportunities reflect the complementary nature of the two nations' economies.

Argentina has a well-developed agriculture and abundant natural resources, with an annual soy output of 50 millions tons, which makes it the world's third soy producer.

China, on the other hand, has limited arable land in per capita terms, and has a growing need for cereals. But its manufacturing power can well meet Argentina's demands.