Interview with Argentina's Ambassador Marcelo Suárez Salvia: Argentina-China Cultural and Tourism Cooperation

1.During your visit to Guizhou Province as part of the "Discover China Cultural Tour 2024," you mentioned that the football match at Cun Chao symbolized the unity between our peoples. Could you elaborate on how sports, particularly football, can serve as a bridge for cultural exchange and understanding between Argentina and China?

Football is one of the most powerful instruments for connecting people across cultures. The match at Cun Chao in Rongjiang was not only a local sports event but a vivid example of how sport fosters community and international friendship. The participation of the LAC UNITED team—made up of diplomats from Argentina and eleven other Latin American and Caribbean countries—was deeply symbolic. It showed how a shared passion for football transcends language and geography.
For us, it was a reminder that teamwork, solidarity, and fair play are universal values.

Argentina, as a three-time World Cup winner and the home of football legends like Messi and Maradona, brings a cultural depth to the sport that resonates globally. China, with its growing investment in grassroots football, youth academies, and community sports, offers a fertile ground for collaboration.
We are now exploring potential exchanges between Argentine clubs and Chinese training academies.

2.You highlighted that the "Discover China Cultural Tour" is not just a tourism program but an invitation to build bridges of understanding and cooperation. Could you share specific examples of how this program has facilitated cultural and diplomatic ties between Argentina and China?

Since its launch in 2021, the Discover China Cultural Tour has welcomed over 400 foreign diplomats, including myself, allowing us to explore China’s cultural and geographical diversity firsthand. In 2024, our visit to Guizhou Province provided a vivid experience of rural revitalization, ethnic heritage, and community empowerment through culture and sport. The program not only promotes tourism but also strengthens interpersonal diplomacy.

As I said before, one key moment was the football match held in Rongjiang during the 2024 edition, which drew national media coverage and local celebration in the villages of rural Guizhou. This had a highly positive impact on the visibility of Latin American and Argentina in particular, as coorganizer of the event. That match sparked significant interest among Chinese citizens, particularly young people, in learning more about our region. This surge of curiosity has already translated into increased online engagement, social media sharing, and inquiries about travel to Latin America.

As a result, the cultural and media resonance of this event has helped build stronger people-to-people links and fostered a broader understanding between China and Latin America. For Argentina, this means greater opportunities for cultural diplomacy, student exchanges, and tourism promotion. In this way, Discover China acts as a true bridge, not only connecting places but awakening genuine interest in our values, traditions, and landscapes.

These experiences allow us to deepen not only diplomatic but also emotional and cultural bonds—what we often call “people-to-people diplomacy.”

3.You mentioned that the balance China has achieved between modernization and the protection of historical sites, traditions, and landscapes is commendable. During your visit to Guizhou, which aspects of intangible cultural heritage, scenic areas, cities, historical architecture, and culinary culture left a particularly deep impression on you?

Guizhou stands out as a model for cultural preservation and integration with sustainable tourism. I was especially moved by the vitality of minority cultures. The embroidery of the Miao ethnic group and the polyphonic singing of the Dong community are not only preserved but celebrated and actively transmitted to younger generations.

Culinary-wise, Guizhou's sour and spicy palette, especially dishes like suan tang yu (sour soup fish), impressed me deeply. It is remarkable how local identity is preserved through food. In Guizhou alone, over 260 elements have been registered as intangible cultural heritage at the provincial or national level. This is just an example on how to honor tradition while embracing progress.

4.Could you outline potential future actions or collaborations between Argentina and China that could further strengthen communication in travel and culture?

Several initiatives are currently under development to deepen tourism and cultural cooperation between Argentina and China.

Argentina is working on training tourism professionals in Mandarin and expanding Chinese-language signage in major destinations.  

Crucially, we are strengthening institutional linkages between Chinese and Argentine cultural and tourism entities. Seminars and forurms with further cooperation frameworks are being developed between provincial tourism boards, chambers of commerce, and cultural institutions to promote shared programming and joint promotional campaigns.

In parallel, we are placing strong emphasis on expanding public-private cooperation in the tourism sector. Argentine travel operators, hotel associations, and cultural institutions are engaging with their Chinese counterparts to create more tailored experiences and packages for Chinese visitors. 

Lastly, we are working to implement promotional strategies with Chinese social media influencers across Chinese platforms with the aim of positioning Argentina as a dream destination for nature, culture, and adventure. These combined efforts reflect our comprehensive approach to enhancing visibility, accessibility, and emotional connection with Chinese travelers.

5. How will Argentina leverage its own cultural and natural heritage to attract more Chinese travelers in the future?

Argentina is a land of extraordinary contrasts and breathtaking natural wonders, and we are committed to sharing them with the world—especially with our Chinese friends. From the thunderous Iguazú Falls, located in the subtropical rainforest and considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, to the silent majesty of the Perito Moreno Glacier in Patagonia, Argentina offers experiences that stay with travelers for a lifetime.

Chinese tourists are increasingly looking for unique and immersive journeys, and Argentina provides just that. In the Patagonian south, whale watching in Puerto Madryn offers a close encounter with nature’s giants, while in the northwest, the colorful hills of Purmamarca and Humahuaca showcase an almost surreal landscape shaped by millions of years of geological history and vibrant Andean culture. For those seeking the ultimate adventure, Argentina is also the gateway to Antarctica—departing from the city of Ushuaia, the southernmost city on Earth.

With this in mind, our strategy is focused on offering deep, authentic, and emotionally enriching experiences. Argentina is not just a destination; it’s a story waiting to be lived.