Vice President Zeng Qinghong on Monday pledged to enhance the reciprocal cooperation and strategic partnership with Argentina.

 

Zeng said Sino-Argentinian ties had developed to "a mature stage" in a meeting with Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs Jorge Taiana.

 

He hailed the bilateral ties over the past 34 years, especially since 2004 when the two countries established strategic partnership.

 

Taiana said Argentina and China shared common ground, and supported each other on issues of sovereignty and territorial integrity. The two countries were also facing new opportunities for economic cooperation.

 

Argentina welcomes China's positive role in the world arena, and is ready to work with China to achieve common prosperity, he added.

 

Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing also held talks with Taiana and exchanged views on bilateral relations and on international and regional issues of common concern.

 

Both agreed they would further implement the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries on establishing and developing China-Argentina strategic partnership.

 

Taiana is paying this official visit to China from November 22 to 28, at Li's invitation.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 28, 2006)