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China, Chile ink deal on services

By Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-04-14 09:14

China and Chile inked a supplementary agreement on trade in services under their bilateral free trade agreement, adding a new dimension to the two countries' trade.

President Hu Jintao said he hoped China and Chile would seize the deal as an opportunity to further open the service market and promote the diversification of trade structures.

President Hu Jintao shakes hands with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet Jeria at the welcoming ceremony of her five-day state visit to China yesterday in Sanya, Hainan. [China Daily]

Hu said the Chinese government is willing to boost cooperation between both countries' enterprises to push forward mutual investment.

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He added that China actively supports both nations' quality-quarantine departments' establishment of a long-term mechanism to create favorable conditions for agricultural trade.

Hu and his Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet Jeria also witnessed the signing of six agreements on quarantine processes for mutual exports of agricultural products, including cherries, oranges and pork.

In 2006, China signed with Chile its first free trade agreement with a Latin American country.

During an hour-long meeting, the two leaders agreed to inject more energy into their comprehensive cooperative partnership; deepen exchanges in politics, trade, agriculture, Antarctic scientific exploration and education; and enhance coordination on international issues.

Bachelet is the first woman head of state from South America to visit China and the first Latin American president to speak at the opening ceremony of Boao Forum for Asia.

The Chilean president said her country and people have realized the 21st century is in the hands of Asia, and especially China, so enhancing cooperation with the country and continent is key to Chile's development.

Bachelet said Chile had remained committed to developing relations with China since diplomatic ties were established 38 years ago.

She also extended best wishes for the success of the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games.

As Bachelet believed the enhancement of the links between Asia and Latin America is conducive to progress and sustainable growth for both, she said her country was ready to play a positive role in boosting China's relationship with Latin American countries.

Swedish ties

China and Sweden on Saturday agreed to enhance cooperation in tackling climate change and continuing human rights dialogues on the basis of equality and mutual respect.

Hu and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt made the pledge during a meeting on the sidelines of the three-day Boao Forum.

Hu called on the two countries to increase cooperation and coordination in international affairs.

Reinfeldt said Sweden is committed to promoting bilateral friendship and win-win cooperation. He said a successful Beijing Olympic Games is important to China, Asia and the entire world, and extended his best wishes for the Games.

Boao guests

Since last Thursday, Hu had received 10 foreign heads of states and government heads in the country's southernmost resort city of Sanya in the island province of Hainan.

Aside from the Qatari prime minister, the other nine foreign leaders all attended the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum on Saturday where each gave an eight-minute speech.

To provide a formal welcoming ritual, the Great Hall of the People's protocols were moved from the capital to Hainan province for the first-ever State reception of foreign heads of state outside Beijing.

Leaders from Tonga, Pakistan, Tanzania and Chile were received in the seaside welcoming ceremony.