Chinese President Hu Jintao, beginning his first state visit to Argentina on Tuesday, held talks with Kirchner on Tuesday afternoon, the second time they met in a year. The Argentine president visited China in June this year.

"We have decided to establish and develop strategic partnership and our friendly ties will grow comprehensively on a new basis," Hu told the press after the talks.

The term of "strategic partnership" was the latest definition of the bilateral relations. Previously, it was called "full-range cooperative partnership."

China and Argentina signed five agreements Tuesday on expanding cooperation in fields of space technology, education, tourism, railways and trade.

President Kirchner told Hu that Argentina was grateful to China for its support and assistance when Argentina was in time of need.

He also stressed that his government will firmly support China's stance on the issue of Taiwan.

During the meeting, the two presidents agreed to increase political trust through more exchanges of personnel, expand economic cooperation and trade, increase educational and tourist exchanges, and strengthen cooperation in international affairs.

They also agreed to expand cooperation in agriculture and animal husbandry, manufacturing, mineral resources, energy, transportation and telecommunications.
  
"We are satisfied with the result of today's meeting," said the Chinese president.

China and Argentina established diplomatic relations in 1972.

The two nations signed several cooperation documents on civil aviation, public health, culture, investment and agriculture during President Kirchner's trip to China earlier this year.

Kirchner said China has become Argentina's fourth largest trading partner and the "best buyer" of Argentine goods in Asia.

Bilateral trade reached 3.2 billion US dollars last year, up 122 percent from the previous year. China mainly imports soybean, bean oil, crude oil, leather and steel from Argentina, and exports computer, life science products, bulb and motorcycles, according to China's Ministry of Commerce. 

(Xinhua News Agency November 17, 2004)