Chile FM Calls for More Cooperation Between Chile and ChinaThe visiting Chilean Foreign Minister Maria Soledad Alvear Valenzuela said Tuesday in an interview with Chinese press that she hopes Chile and China will expand their cooperation in various fields.She said that Chile was the first among south American countries to forge diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China. Chile is also the second largest trade partner of China in the Latin American area, she added. The two countries share similarities in many fields, she said, specifying that both countries are attracting foreign investment to better develop their national economies, and oppose hegemonism. The Chilean foreign minister said that she expects the two countries to further their cooperation in agriculture, forestry, fishery, culture and education. She stressed that Chile attaches great importance to consolidating the economic and trade relations with China. Chile was the first country in Latin America that signed the bilateral agreement with China concerning China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), she said, adding that it shows Chile's expectation of China's early entry into the WTO, and the strong wish of Chile to strengthen economic relations with China. She noted that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Chile and China. The two countries will hold a series of activities to review and celebrate the successful cooperation during the past three decades. On the significance of her current visit to China, the Chilean foreign minister said that it will play an active role in consolidating and pushing forward traditional friendship between the two countries. The visit is also an opportunity for her to make some preparations for further developing relations between the Rio Group and China next year, as Chile will be the chair of the group then, she said. The Chilean foreign minister, together with other two foreign ministers -- Guillermo Fernandez De Soto of Colombia, Rosario Green Macias of Mexico, arrived in Beijing Sunday for a visit at the invitation of their Chinese counterpart Tang Jiaxuan. |
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