Xi meets with leaders of Argentina and Cambodia

Warm relations, cooperation mark president's talks with Macri and Hun Sen

President Xi Jinping met Argentine President Mauricio Macri and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Beijing on Wednesday.

Nuclear energy, sports and infrastructure were among the highlights of the 16 cooperative documents signed between China and Argentina after Xi spoke with Macri.

They included a general contract for building the fourth and fifth nuclear power plants of the South American country.

Macri combined a state visit to China with attending the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation on Sunday and Monday.

The meeting of the two leaders on Wednesday was their third in the past 13 months.

Xi noted that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations. He said the two countries should further strengthen mutual political trust and support each other on issues involving each other's core interests.

Macri said his country adheres to the one-China policy and Argentina will advance cooperation in the spirit of mutual respect and mutual trust.

During their meeting, Macri offered Xi a gift - an Argentine national soccer team jersey - and the two leaders had a good discussion on boosting soccer cooperation, according to Zhu Qingqiao, director of the Foreign Ministry's Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs.

Yang Wanming, Chinese ambassador to Argentina, said earlier this month that increasing exchanges at all levels "offers an institutional guarantee" for synergizing their cooperation.

China is Argentina's largest customer for agriculture products, including beef, and its third-largest source of foreign investment.

Xi said both countries should expand market openings and optimize the trade structure.

Last year, China had total exports of $7.2 billion to Argentina and total imports of $5.1 billion, according to the General Administration of Customs.

Cooperation should be expanded in areas like infrastructure construction, energy, and existing major cooperation projects in hydropower and railways should be effectively implemented, Xi said.

Macri said Argentina is ready to work with China to promote the balanced development of trade, and reinforce cooperation in areas such as investment, finance, agriculture, science, culture and soccer.

Xi said China is willing to work with Argentina on major global topics such as economic governance and climate change, and China supports Argentina's hosting the G20 Leaders Summit next year.

During Xi's meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, he called for joint efforts to implement cooperation plans on jointly building the Belt and Road. Hun Sen also has been on an official visit to China that included attendance at the forum.

The two countries should focus on the major projects of production capacity and investment cooperation, Xi told Hun Sen at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.

China attaches great importance to developing relations with Cambodia, Xi said, adding that China would like to deepen bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperation to benefit the people of both sides.

Xi pointed out that the two countries should enhance cooperation in areas such as law enforcement, security, antiterrorism, fighting internet crime and hunting for fugitives overseas. Exchanges in tourism, culture, education and youth should be expanded, he said.

China supports Cambodia playing a bigger role in global and regional affairs, Xi said.

Hun Sen said that Cambodia firmly maintains a friendly policy toward China, which was set by the late Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk.

He expressed gratitude toward China's support and help for his country, saying that Cambodia would like to make joint efforts with China to strengthen traditional friendship. Hun Sen also called for mutual support.

Contact the writers at zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn