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NPC Chairman Meets Chilean President
Li Peng Meets Chilean President
Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), met with Chilean President Ricardo Lagos Escobar Wednesday.
Li said that they had cordial talks in 1998 when President Lagos visited China, and he is glad to meet the President again. Li recalled that in 1996 he visited Chile as Chinese Premier and was warmly entertained, he and the Chilean leaders had in-depth talks on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern. That visit was fruitful, he added.
Li said that Chile was the first South American country to establish diplomatic ties with China. The Chinese people will not forget that the Chinese and Chilean leaders of the old generation fostered the Sino-Chilean friendship, setting a solid foundation for the overall development of bilateral relations.
He expressed appreciation for President Lagos' efforts in promoting and contributing to the development of the Sino-Chilean friendship over the past years.
Li said that Sino-Chilean relations have made satisfactory progress over the past 31 years since the establishment of bilateral relations. In recent years top leaders of the two countries have had frequent exchanges, with rich results achieved in economic and trade cooperation. Now Chile has become the second largest trade partner of China in Latin America, and the two sides have maintained good cooperation in international and regional affairs, Sino-Chilean relations are at their best stage in history.
Li stressed that the Chinese government and the NPC always pay much attention to Sino-Chilean relations. The parliaments of the two countries began exchanges even before the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties. Since ties were established, the leaders of the two parliaments have had frequent exchanges, and both sides have set up friendship groups in their parliaments, playing a significant role in promoting mutual understanding and bilateral friendship relations. The NPC welcome leaders of the Chilean parliament and more parliament members to visit China.
Li said that the NPC is willing to work together with all the governments and parliaments of Latin American countries to build a lasting and stable Sino-Latin American relationship on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.
President Lagos said that he is deeply impressed by China's fast development and great achievements. China's successful hosting of the APEC meetings indicates that China is playing an increasingly important role in the international arena.
He said that there is great potential and prospects for cooperation between the two countries. The Chilean side is willing to make joint efforts with China to further promote exchanges and cooperation in all fields. He himself and the Chilean government will actively support exchanges and cooperation between the two parliaments.
President Lagos has concluded his visit to China and left Beijing to return to Chile at noon Wednesday.
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