Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), met with Argentine Vice President Daniel Osvaldo Scioli in Beijing Wednesday.

 

Wu highlighted the progress achieved by China and Argentina in bilateral relations since the two countries forged diplomatic relations 34 years ago, adding that China and Argentina are both fast-growing developing countries and their economies are highly complementary.

 

China and Argentina have forged closer cooperation in the political, economic, scientific, technological and cultural fields, Wu said.

 

"China is willing to promote pragmatic bilateral cooperation with Argentina", Wu noted.

 

In regard to parliamentary relations, Wu acknowledged that the NPC has established good relations with the Argentine Congress, and expressed his hope that the two sides can cooperate more in various fields and at various levels.

 

Scioli said Argentine people share a profound friendship with the Chinese people and the Argentine government highly values its strategic partnership with China.

 

Argentina hopes to expand bilateral cooperation in fields such as trade, tourism, energy, and infrastructure construction, Scioli said, stressing that Argentina welcomes Chinese companies who want to invest in the country.

 

Scioli is paying an official visit to China from October 25 to 28 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Zeng Qinghong.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 26, 2006)