On June 26 local time, Premier Wen Jiabao held large and small-scale talks with Chilean President Sebastian Pinera in San Diego. The two sides announced the establishment of China-Chile strategic partnership and the completion of negotiations on the investment supplemental agreement of the bilateral free trade agreement and consented to set up the inter-governmental cooperation mechanism and proceed to develop a joint action plan.
Wen conveyed President Hu Jintao’s cordial greetings and best wishes to Pinera. The 42 years of history of diplomatic ties between China and Chile prove that the two countries and peoples are good friends who trust each other, cooperate sincerely and seek common development. At present, both China and Chile are in the key stage of development. China attaches great importance to Chile's rising international status and competitiveness and is ready to coordinate closely with Chile, fully integrate each other’s strengths and needs, meet challenges together, achieve greater mutual benefits and promote peace, stability and prosperity in Asia Pacific and the world at large, said Wen.
He put foward the following suggestions:
First, formally sign and ratify the investment supplemental agreement of the bilateral free trade agreement as soon as possible and completely build the China-Chile free trade area. While expanding trade in goods, the two countries should boost trade in services and mutual investment and double the bilateral trade volume within the next three years.
Second, build a trade model in the mining sector which goes beyond the simple trade of primary products, establish a stable and high-level partnership in the long run and conduct all-round cooperation. The two countries should take advantage of their rich agricultural resources and broaden trade in agricultural goods and the processing and technology cooperation.
Third, China is willing to actively participate in Chile’s infrastructure construction and work with Chile to jointly promote the construction of regional transport network in Latin America.
Fourth, conduct currency swap, expand the RMB settlement and encourage the financial institutions of both countries to set up branches in each other.
Fifth, strengthen cultural, tourism and youth exchanges and enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the people.
Sixth, reinforce collaboration in the polar region, step up cooperation on ocean, aerospace and earthquake and tighten coordination within the framework of the Antarctic Treaty.
Wen noted that China is glad to see the significant progress of Latin American integration and expects to work with Chile to promote the development of relations with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and the Pacific Alliance.
Pinera asked Wen to convey his cordial greetings and good wishes to President Hu Jintao and extended warm welcome to Wen on behalf of the Chilean government and people. He said that China is Chile’s sincere friend and reliable partner. The two countries have conducted fruitful cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations, which has significantly promoted Chile’s economic growth. Chile attaches great importance and gives top priority to developing relations with China, admires China’s development achievements and is willing to study and learn from China's development experience. The Chilean side fully agrees upon Wen’s suggestions and would like to take the opportunity of the establishment of bilateral strategic partnership to earnestly implement the consensus reached by both sides, comprehensively promote the friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in various fields, strengthen the bilateral coordination in international and regional affairs and push for greater development of Chile-China and Latin America-China relations. Chile welcomes more investment from the Chinese enterprises and expects to enhance the cooperation level and achieve common development.
After the talks, the two leaders jointly attended the signing ceremony of related bilateral cooperation documents and met with the press together.
Before the talks, Pinera held a grand welcoming ceremony for Wen.
On the same day, Wen Jiabao presented a wreath to the O'Higgins Monument and met with the staffs of the Chinese Embassy in Chile and representatives of China-funded institutions, overseas Chinese and Chinese students.