China willing to work with Argentina to bolster cooperation prospects: Wang Yi

ROME - Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Saturday that China is willing to work with Argentina to foster brighter prospects for cooperation between the two countries.

In a meeting with Argentine Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero in Rome on Saturday, Wang noted that as comprehensive strategic partners, China and Argentina have treated each other with respect and equality since the establishment of their diplomatic ties, and supported each other firmly on issues concerning the core interests of each side.

The relationship between the two countries has withstood the test of a volatile international situation and has always developed in a healthy and stable manner, Wang said.

He noted that the practical cooperation between China and Argentina has progressed smoothly, and the traditional friendship between the two countries has been sublimated in their joint fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Noting that next year is the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Argentina, Wang expressed China's willingness to take the opportunity to strengthen various bilateral mechanisms including the Permanent Bi-national Commission, and the Strategic Dialogue of Economic Cooperation and Coordination.

They should also work together to make the "Year of China-Argentina Friendship and Cooperation" a success and create a brighter prospect for bilateral relations, said the Chinese FM.

Wang hailed Argentina's active response for the joint construction of Belt and Road, saying that China is willing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Argentina as soon as possible to further promote the synergy of the two countries' development strategies.

The two sides should strengthen cooperation in investment and financing, energy and mining, power and other fields, and expand collaboration in new fields such as aerospace, communications, the Antarctica, and oceans, said Wang.

He also said that China is willing to continue to provide vaccines and medical supplies to help Argentina overcome the pandemic as an early date.

Wang stressed that both China and Argentina are firm supporters of multilateralism and defenders of the interests of developing countries. China is willing to coordinate with Argentina in multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations and the Group of 20.

China welcomes Argentina to take part in the "Global Development Initiative," injecting new impetus in efforts to reach the goals under the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, he added.

Cafiero said that the friendship between Argentina and China has a long history. He thanked China for supporting Argentina in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity and providing assistance to Argentina to fight the pandemic.

Argentina firmly adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries' diplomatic relations as an opportunity to deepen bilateral practical cooperation in various fields such as economy and trade, water resources and finance, said the Argentine FM.

He also pointed out that Argentina attaches great importance to the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" and "Global Development Initiative" proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, and is willing to strengthen interactions with China.

The two sides also exchanged views on other issues of common concern including deepening China-Argentina cooperation.