Ambassadors from Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Cuba have told
Xinhua that their governments are looking forward to President Hu
Jintao's upcoming tour of Latin America.
The Foreign Ministry
previously announced that Hu will visit the four countries from
November 11 to 23 at the invitation of Presidents Luis Inacio Lula
Da Silva, Nestor Kirchner, Ricardo Lagos Escobar and Fidel Castro
Ruz respectively.
During the trip, Hu will also attend the 12th Economic Leaders'
Meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Santiago,
the capital of Chile.
This year is the 30th anniversary of the establishment of
Brazil-China diplomatic ties, so Hu's visit there has added
significance, said Brazilian Ambassador Luiz Augusto de Castro
Neves.
As two major developing countries, Brazil and China share
similar opinions on many international issues, he said, noting that
both attach great importance to relations with each other.
He added that, in 2003, Brazil-China trade volume went up 78.7
percent to US$7.99 billion, underscoring cooperation in the
aviation industry and satellite manufacture.
In June, Argentina's president paid a successful state visit to
China, said Argentine Ambassador Juan Carlos Morelli, expressing
his belief that Hu's visit will enhance mutual understanding and
trust.
Argentina would also like to enhance cooperation with China in
energy. Morelli said that they welcome the investment of more
Chinese petroleum enterprises. Trade volume hit US$3.176 billion in
2003, a rise of 122.9 percent.
Chile and China have worked together in politics, economy, trade
and culture since their establishment of diplomatic ties 34 years
ago, said Chilean Ambassador Pablo Cabrera.
Hu's visit will definitely boost cooperation and deepen the
friendship between their peoples, he said. As members of APEC, they
hope to sign a free trade agreement. Currently, China is the
largest importer of Chilean copper and they have also formed a
joint committee on mining.
Cuba and China share extensive common ground on a number of
international issues, with exchanges in politics, economy and
trade, culture, science and technology, and sports enhanced in
recent years, said Cuban Ambassador Alberto Rodriguez Arufe. He
went onto say that they could enhance cooperation in biotechnology,
telecommunications, mining and petroleum.
All four ambassadors expressed their countries' expectation to
expand cooperation with China in economy and trade and said they
hoped to further promote tourist cooperation and launch non-stop
flights at an early date.
(Xinhua News Agency November 9, 2004)