China, Argentina vow to develop strategic partnership

China and Argentina have agreed to intensify pragmatic cooperation and enhance coordination in international affairs to further their strategic partnership.

The pledge was made during a meeting Thursday between top Chinese political adviser Jia Qinglin and Argentine Vice President and Senate President Amado Boudou and other senior parliamentarians.

China and Argentina were good friends enjoying mutual trust and good partners with sincere cooperation, said Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Since they established diplomatic ties 40 years ago, bilateral relations had maintained healthy and stable development, he said, adding their mutually beneficial cooperation had contributed to the economic and social development of the two countries.

The two neighbors had maintained good coordination in international organizations and multilateral mechanisms, and jointly safeguarded the interests of developing countries, Jia said.

China, he said, appreciated Argentina's adherence to the one-China policy and was ready to work with Argentina to continue deepening strategic mutual trust and expanding pragmatic cooperation to further bilateral strategic partnership.

Briefing Boudou on the recent 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and its significance, Jia said the CPC and the Chinese people would remain committed to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and strive to achieve the goal of building a well-off society.

Boudou said his country welcomed the development of bilateral ties and would continue to firmly pursue the one-China policy.

Argentina and China, he said, faced common challenges and had shared interests in fighting the international financial crisis and sustaining their economies.

Argentine parliamentary parties remained committed to consolidating and developing the strategic partnership with China, and were willing to further expand bilateral economic and trade cooperation in railway construction, among other areas, he said.

The parties also hoped to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China in the UN Security Council and the G20, and in major multilateral affairs, such as international economic and financial system reform, he said, adding it was in the interests of the two countries and peoples.

Argentina is the last leg of Jia's three-nation tour which, has taken him to Italy and Costa Rica.