China is willing to deepen its ties with Argentina from a strategic perspective, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.

Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

Since the two countries established diplomatic ties 37 years ago, especially the founding of the China-Argentina strategic partnership in 2004, their political mutual trust has been boosted while economic and trade cooperation has developed smoothly, Wang said.

The two countries have also offered understanding and support on issues that involve each other's core interests, he said.

China and Argentina should promote their dialogue and tackle difficulties together amid the spreading international financial crisis, Wang said, noting that it conforms to the fundamental interests of both countries and peoples.

The Argentine president said she was impressed by China's great development potential and believes it will play an increasingly significant role in the world under the current circumstances.

Argentina attaches great importance to the development of friendly ties with China and hopes for enhanced exchanges with it in such fields as political affairs, economy, trade and culture, she said.

Kirchner said she also looked forward to meeting Chinese President Hu Jintao during the upcoming Group of 20 summit scheduled for April in London.

Argentina is the last leg of Wang's goodwill visit which has taken him to Grenada, Dominica and Costa Rica.

(Xinhua News Agency March 11, 2009)