Argentina's President of the Chamber of Deputies Alberto Edgardo Balestrini on Tuesday expressed his hope for enhanced friendship and cooperation between Argentina and China.

At a meeting with Chen Fengxiang, the visiting deputy head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Balestrini said the exchange of visits by presidents of the two countries in 2004 has opened up broad prospects for friendly cooperation between the two nations.

He said that the Argentine parliament is willing to enhance friendly exchanges with the CPC and the Chinese people, and that joint efforts will be made to push forward bilateral relations on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

Chen expressed appreciation for the efforts made by Balestrini for the development of Sino-Argentine friendship, adding that the CPC is ready to develop dialogue and cooperation with Argentina's parliamentary parties.

(Xinhua News Agency February 7, 2007)