Wen's Argentina visit to boost bilateral ties: Chinese diplomat

BUENOS AIRES - The imminent visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Argentina will push forward bilateral ties, Chinese Ambassador to Argentina Yin Hengmin told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The Argentine government and civil societies have attached great importance to Wen's visit scheduled from June 23 to 25, which will be another major diplomatic event between the two countries after Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Argentina in 2004.

Yin said the two countries have scored tremendous achievements in bilateral relations in all fields since the forging of diplomatic ties in 1972.

The recent years have witnessed frequent high-level contacts and closer relations since China and Argentina established the strategic partnership in 2004, he said.

The two-way trade volume has currently reached $15 billion with more Chinese investment in Argentina, Yin said.

In terms of cultural exchanges, he said China's Confucius Institute has opened two branches in Argentina.

At the international level, China and Argentina have carried out sound cooperation, Yin said, adding that the two countries held similar positions on global climate change and the reform of the United Nations Security Council.

During Wen's stay in Argentina, the two countries will sign a series of cooperation agreements and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-Argentina diplomatic relations, he added.

Yin said strengthening agricultural cooperation will be one of the hot topics of discussion between the leaders of both sides. Argentina is the world's major agriculture exporter and China is a main importer of Argentina's soybeans and soybean oil.

The volume of bilateral agricultural trade reached $5 billion in 2011, accounting for one-third of bilateral trade volume, he said, adding that the two countries will sign three agricultural cooperation agreements during Wen's visit.

He said Latin American countries including Argentina have attached great importance to relations with China in recent years. The trade volume between China and Latin America has reached $200 billion in 2011 with more Chinese investment in Latin America, he added.

Yin said China and Argentina could seek more collaboration in international affairs based on political mutual trust. Argentina always adheres to the one-China policy and China backs Argentina's stance on the Malvinas Islands, called Falkland Islands by Britain, he said.