Chinese, Argentine presidents exchange views on ties over phone

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Argentine counterpart Cristina Fernandez exchanged views Wednesday on bilateral ties and cooperation in a telephone conversation.

Xi said China attaches great importance to the development of its comprehensive strategic partnership with Argentina and has a clear willingness as well as determination to promote bilateral cooperation.

"Related departments of the two sides have maintained contacts and bilateral cooperation has made new and positive progress since my July visit to Argentina," said Xi.

In the next stage, the two sides should do a good job in implementing the joint action plan approved by the two governments, launch the intergovernmental permanent committee at an early date, carry out major cooperation programs, and push for stable and balanced development of bilateral trade, said Xi.

"I am willing to keep close communication and contact with you, welcome your visit to China at a convenient time and hope to meet you again at the Brisbane G20 summit in November," said Xi.

For her part, Fernandez said Xi's successful visit to Argentina in July has left a profound and nice impression to the Argentine people.

"We jointly declared the establishment of the China-Argentina comprehensive strategic partnership, approved the update program of the Nestor Kirchner and Jorge Cepernic hydropower stations as well as the Belgrano Cargas freight railway, and agreed on the participation of Chinese enterprises in the construction of Argentina's nuclear power plant," said Fernandez.

Argentina stands ready to keep good communication and coordination with China to create favorable conditions for the smooth implementation of related programs and further development of bilateral ties, she added.