China, Chile to strengthen strategic partnership

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) holds talks with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 13, 2017.[Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet agreed on Saturday to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Bachelet is in Beijing to attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation scheduled for May 14 to 15.

Chile was the first South American country to establish diplomatic ties with China, as well as the first Latin American country to sign a free trade agreement with China, Xi said.

Being good friends and partners, the two countries should strengthen cooperation to make a good start of the comprehensive strategic partnership, he noted.

By utilizing dialogue mechanisms at various levels, the two countries should implement the joint action plan to consolidate the foundation for future bilateral ties.

Under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, China and Chile should promote two-way investment and step up cooperation on key projects in areas such as infrastructure construction, regional connectivity, clean energy and communications.

China is willing to strengthen coordination with Chile under the framework of APEC, to promote the construction of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific.

As Chile has just joined the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, China and Chile should work together to improve infrastructure and connectivity in the region.

Latin America is a rising power in the global system with huge development potential, Xi said. China is willing to work with Chile to achieve win-win results between China and Latin American countries in the pursuit of a community of shared future.

For her part, Bachelet said China and Chile have broad common interests although they are far away from each other. The comprehensive strategic partnership has seen a sound momentum of development.

Chile is willing to deepen cooperation with China in areas such as politics, economy, investment, agriculture, energy and mining, environment, culture and tourism, she said.

The negotiation of an upgraded free trade agreement should be completed as soon as possible, she noted.