Chinese President Vows to Promote Cooperation With Latin AmericaChina is ready to make joint efforts with Latin America to promote a prolonged and stable cooperative relationship between the two sides, visiting Chinese President Jiang Zemin said in Santiago Friday.Addressing the U.N. Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Jiang said China will make greater efforts in this regard in the new century on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. The Chinese president said China and Latin American countries should boost mutual understanding, treat each other equally and become trustworthy friends. "China and Latin American countries should set a good example of South-South cooperation." Speaking of international affairs, Jiang said China and Latin American countries should increase consultation and support each other in defending their legitimate rights and interests. On economic relations and trade, the Chinese leader said China and Latin America should pursue mutual benefit and common development. "Economic relations and trade between China and Latin America enjoy a sound foundation and broad prospects," he declared. He noted that in 2000, trade between the two sides increased to 12.6 billion U.S. dollars, hitting an all-time high. "China is a huge market and the investment climate in China has been improving daily," Jiang said. "We welcome Latin American businesspeople to make investment in China while encouraging Chinese enterprises to seek their development in Latin America." Referring to future development, Jiang said China hopes to establish a comprehensive cooperative relationship with Latin American countries. "China and Latin American countries share many common interests and should cooperate with each other in more forms and more fields and they should expand exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, science and technology and sports to benefit their people." The president pointed out that together with the people around the globe, the Chinese and Latin American people shoulder the task of promoting world peace and development in the new century. " China and Latin America should learn from and help each other and together usher in a more brilliant future." He expressed the belief that the 21st century will witness closer cooperation between China and Latin American countries, which will together build a more beautiful future. |
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