Chinese Commerce Minister Bo Xilai said in Buenos Aires Tuesday that China values Argentine President Nestor Kirchner's upcoming visit and hopes to boost trade ties with this South American country.

The Chinese government has always attached great importance to the development of trade ties with Argentina, because both countries are members of the World Trade Organization and the Group of 20, Bo said at a seminar on Argentina-China trade cooperation.

The Chinese minister said Argentina has become one of China's most important trade partners in Latin America. "The growth of bilateral trade has turned out to be very encouraging."

Trade turnover between China and Argentina reached US$3.1 billion in 2003, up 122 percent over the previous year, he said.

China hopes to invest in Argentina's infrastructure, such as airports and railway lines, and encourages Argentine companies to develop businesses in the Chinese market, said Bo, who arrived here Sunday after wrapping up a visit to New Zealand.

He said the two countries could step up trade cooperation in the areas of soya, edible oil, beef and dairy products.

He added both China and Argentina could tap new areas of cooperation as their economies are highly complementary.

At the seminar, Argentine Foreign Minister Rafael Bielsa also called for expansion of trade cooperation between Argentina and China.

Argentina is interested in the concrete advance of the negotiations leading to a protocol to facilitate the access of Argentine fruits to the Chinese market, like citrus, pears and apples, Bielsa said.

He also said the two countries could seek cooperation in areas like electronics, transport, nuclear energy and biotechnology.

(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2004)