China, Argentina upgrade ties to comprehensive strategic partnership

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) shakes hands with Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner during a welcoming ceremony before their talks in Buenos Aires, Argentina, July 18, 2014. Xi and his Argentine counterpart, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, agreed here Friday to upgrade bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Argentine counterpart, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, agreed in Buenos Aires Friday to upgrade bilateral ties from strategic partnership to comprehensive strategic partnership. [Special coverage]

Bilateral cooperation has made tremendous progress since the two countries established a strategic partnership 10 years ago, Xi said in his talks with the Argentine president.

In order to promote the future development of bilateral ties, the two sides have decided to lift their relationship from a strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership, added Xi, who is here for a state visit to the South American country.

Noting that China and Argentina are both emerging-market economies at an important phase of development, Xi said they should stick to the in-the-same-boat spirit and deepen cooperation so as to tackle challenges and achieve common development.

The two sides also agreed to treat each other as development opportunities and partners and boost reciprocal cooperation and strategic coordination, with the aim of not only facilitating the development of both nations but strengthening solidarity among all developing countries.

The Chinese president also made a multi-point proposal, saying the two sides should further deepen political mutual trust, support each other's independent choice of development path and maintain close contact and exchanges at different levels and in various fields.

He also urged the two countries to learn from each other's governance experiences, facilitate personnel exchanges and carry out more cultural exchanges.

The two sides, he said, should promote stable and balanced growth of bilateral trade, actively boost cooperation in such fields as gas, mining industry, agriculture and nuclear power, and deepen strategic cooperation in infrastructure construction and finance.

In addition, he suggested that the two sides strengthen communication and coordination on such major issues as global governance and the reform of international economic and financial systems, defend the rights of developing countries, and push for a more equitable and reasonable world order.

For her part, Cristina said the two countries share similar stands on a number of major issues and bilateral ties have strategic and global significance.

The establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership serves the fundamental interests of both countries and peoples, and is conducive to the democratization of international relations, she added.

Argentina admires China's development, and is willing to learn from its successful experiences, she said, adding that her country also stands ready to boost cooperation with China under multilateral frameworks like the United Nations and the Group of 20.

The Argentine president also expressed her country's concern on its debt disputes with so-called "vulture" funds in the United States.

In response, Xi said the Chinese side understands Argentina's concern on debt restructuring and hopes that the issue will be settled properly.

Following their talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a series of bilateral cooperation deals.

Argentina is the second leg of Xi's four-nation Latin America tour, which will also take him to Venezuela and Cuba. He visited Brazil earlier in the trip, his second to the region since he took over the presidency in March 2013.