Jiang's Latin-America Tour to Boost Ties: AmbassadorsThe upcoming visit to six Latin- American countries by Chinese President Jiang Zemin will forcefully push forward the existing friendly cooperative relations, according to ambassadors of the six countries to China.The ambassadors noted that people in Latin-America are looking forward to Jiang's visit. Jiang is scheduled to pay a state visit to Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Cuba and Venezuela from April 5 to 17, and he will also pay a working visit to Brazil during the tour. In interviews with Xinhua, the ambassadors of the six nations noted that Jiang's visit is of great significance to the development of China-Latin America relations. Chilean ambassador Jorge Tarud said that Chile was the first South American country to recognize the People's Republic of China and the friendly relations between the two countries have been developing steadily since they forged diplomatic ties some 30 years ago. Argentine ambassador Federico Carlos Barttfeld said that the political consultations between the two countries have been smooth since the establishment of diplomatic ties, adding that their cooperation in bilateral relations and international organizations have also been strengthened. Barttfeld noted that President Fernando de La Rua's state visit to China last year was a success, stating that he believes Jiang's visit to Argentina will be helpful to the consolidation of friendly ties between the two countries. Uruguayan ambassador Alvaro Alvarez said that his country and China have maintained good relations, stressing that Jiang's visit, which demonstrates the good political will of the heads of state to strengthen unity and cooperation, will open a new chapter in bilateral ties. Brazilian ambassador Affonso Celso de Ouro-Preto said that Brazil and China, two important developing countries in the world, have maintained good political cooperation and have the same or similar views on major international issues. Ouro-Preto said that the frequent high-level visits between the two countries will surely further the bilateral relationship and deepen the understanding and consensus between the two peoples. Cuban ambassador Alberto R. Arufe noted that Cuba was the first Latin-American country to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China. He said that Cuba and China, which have long been friendly to each other, have been cooperating and supporting each other in international forums and international affairs. Arufe said that Cuba appreciates China's achievements in recent years and thanked China for its support to Cuba, adding that Jiang 's visit will push the friendly relations to a new high. Venezuelan ambassador Juan de Jesus Montilla said that the reform and opening-up policy have brought about enormous achievements in China. He noted that Jiang's visit will certainly further the bilateral cooperation in politics and economics. The ambassadors noted that their countries are willing to strengthen economic and trade relations with China and support China's entry into the World Trade Organization. Tarud noted that Chile, the first country in Latin-America to sign a bilateral agreement with China on China's accession into the WTO, has become the second largest trade partner of China in the region. He said that his country is willing to be the door for Chinese enterprises to South America and to provide various conveniences for Chinese enterprises. Barttfeld noted that China is the biggest trade partner of Argentina in the Asia-Pacific region, adding that his country resolutely supports China's entry into the WTO. He said that China's membership in the WTO will bring a positive impact on bilateral trade and economic cooperation. Barttfeld said Argentina will continue to commit itself to developing trade with China. Montilla said that the trade and economic relations between Venezuela and China have been developing rapidly in recent years, adding that the bilateral cooperation in energy, agriculture, transportation, and infrastructure enjoy broad prospects. Ouro-Preto stressed that China's membership in the WTO will be conducive to the cooperation among developing countries in the organization. |
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