China and Argentina agree to increase cooperation in maritime, communications, energy and Antarctic areas

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The People’s Republic of China announced that its ties with the Argentine government in strategic sectors of the economy are becoming closer and closer, in a statement issued through the official newspaper Global Times, one of the propaganda organs of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The announcement was made by Beijing’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, after the meeting held in Rome, Italy, with the Argentine Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero.

In a press release entitled “China is willing to work with Argentina to strengthen cooperation prospects”, Beijing stated that it would continue to sell vaccines and health material to the Argentine government and that it would deepen its interest in critical areas of national development such as mining, energy, communications (5G), the exploitation of Antarctica and the seas, and aerospace.

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Chancellor Wang pointed out that, as comprehensive strategic partners, China and Argentina have treated each other with respect and equality since their diplomatic relations. They have firmly supported each other on issues related to the fundamental interests of each side.

It was also reiterated that practical cooperation between China and Argentina had progressed smoothly. The traditional friendship between the two countries was sublimated in their joint fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Noting that next year is the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between China and Argentina, Wang expressed China’s willingness to seize the opportunity to strengthen various bilateral mechanisms, including the Permanent Binational Commission and the Strategic Dialogue on Economic Cooperation and Coordination.

The Chinese foreign minister said they also aim to work together to make the “China-Argentina Friendship and Cooperation Year” a success and create a brighter prospect for bilateral relations.

Wang further praised Argentina’s active response to the joint construction of the Belt and Road and said China is willing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Argentina as soon as possible to promote further the synergy of the two countries’ development strategies.

He emphasized that the two sides should strengthen cooperation in investment and financing, energy and mining, power and other fields, and expand collaboration in new areas such as aerospace, communications, Antarctica, and oceans.

He also said China is willing to continue providing vaccines and medical supplies to help Argentina overcome the pandemic early.

Wang stressed that both China and Argentina are strong advocates of multilateralism and defenders of the interests of developing countries. China is willing to coordinate with Argentina in multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations and the Group of 20.

Finally, the Chinese minister welcomed Argentina to participate in the “Global Development Initiative”, injecting a new impetus to achieve the goals of the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.

For his part, Cafiero recalled that the friendship between Argentina and China has a long history and thanked the Asian power for supporting Argentina in defense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity and providing assistance to combat the pandemic.

The Argentine Foreign Minister was also emphatic in stating that “Argentina firmly adheres to the One China policy and is willing to take advantage of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to deepen practical bilateral cooperation in various fields such as economy and trade, water resources and finance.”

He also indicated that Argentina attaches great importance to the joint construction of the “Belt and Road” and the “Comprehensive Development Initiative” proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and is willing to strengthen interactions with China.

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