On the afternoon of July 13, 2010, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, who is here for a state visit. Both heads of state agreed to enhance exchanges and cooperation to develop China-Argentina strategic partnership in an in-depth manner.

Hu said since the establishment of diplomatic ties 38 years ago, bilateral relations have been developing rapidly based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. The establishment of China-Argentina strategic partnership has lifted bilateral ties to a new level, opening up broad prospects for their all-round cooperation. The development of China-Argentina ties has not only brought about tangible benefits to both peoples, but also played a positive role in promoting China-Latin America friendly cooperative relations.

Kirchner made positive comments on Argentina-China ties, saying Argentina valued strategic partnership with China. Currently bilateral relationship is at a new historical starting point and Argentina is ready to work with China to push bilateral ties to a new level, she added.

Hu said under the current situation, both sides should work to deepen political relations and build up mutual understanding and trust. He urged both sides to strengthen dialogue and consultations at all levels and continue to support each other on major issues concerning their respective core interests. "The two sides should enhance reciprocal trade cooperation and realize common development. China will work with Argentina to take measures to stabilize and expand bilateral trade and investment," said Hu in the talks, calling for cooperation on such fields as mining, communication, finance, agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, infrastructure, oil and gas exploitation. Hu said China supported diversity of Argentina commodities and welcomed more Argentine companies and commodities to enter the Chinese market. China is ready to enhance cooperation on quality inspection and customs with Argentina. The Sino-Argentine economic and trade mixed committee and its cooperation mechanisms should well perform their respective functions and do a good job in guiding, coordinating and serving bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Both sides should expand exchanges on culture, education and among localities and non-governmental organizations. Both sides should continue to hold Cultural Exhibition in the other country and other activities in various forms, and well implement the new annual cultural exchange program. Both sides should deepen coordination and cooperation on multilateral occasions to safeguard common interests. China is ready to continue enhancing communication and coordination with Argentina on major international and regional issues and push relevant dialogue, negotiations and reform towards a direction conducive to developing countries’ interests. Hu said China attaches importance to the increasingly important role played by Organization of American States (OAS), South American Community of Nations, South Common Market and Forum for East Asia and Latin America Cooperation in safeguarding regional peace and promoting common development. Hu said China would promote dialogue, communication and cooperation with regional organizations in Latin America in a bid to facilitate China-Latin America friendly cooperative relations.

Echoing Hu’s proposal on furthering bilateral ties, Kirchner said Argentina always adheres to the one-China policy, respects China’s state sovereignty and territorial integrity and firmly supports China’s position on issued related to Taiwan and Tibet. Argentina is ready to enhance dialogue and cooperation with China to support and learn from each other. The two countries, highly complementary to each other, enjoy broad common interests and huge potential for cooperation. The economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has been developing rapidly and China has become Argentina’s important trading partner. Argentina is committed to establishing a reciprocal trade relationship with China and hopes that both sides will maintain and expand the momentum of pragmatic cooperation in culture, education and other areas and further lift the level of cooperation. During the visit, both sides signed a range of important cooperation documents, which will surely push bilateral pragmatic cooperation for new progress, said the Argentine president. Argentina is ready to become an important platform for China’s cooperation with Latin America. Argentina and China, both members of G20, share identical or similar positions on major international and global issues, she said, adding Argentina fully agrees to President Hu’s proposals elaborated at the G20 Toronto Summit and is ready to further enhance communication and cooperation with China in multilateral areas and safeguard common interests of developing countries. Argentina is ready to continue pushing forward China’s relations with regional organizations in Latin America.

Following the talks, the two heads of state attended the signing ceremony of a couple of bilateral cooperation documents including a joint statement between the two countries.

Prior to the talks, President Hu held a welcoming ceremony for Kirchner at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Sang Guowei, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Vice-chairwoman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Zhang Meiying, Vice Chairman Yan Yixin of the Central Committee of Zhigong Party, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission Zhang Ping, Minister of Commerce Chen Deming and Chinese Ambassador to Argentina Zeng Gang attended the welcoming ceremony.