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Hu vows to boost Latin America ties

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-11-22 08:33

LIMA: President Hu Jintao on Thursday called for a new era of cooperation with Latin America, saying the world's largest developing country and the major developing region should unite more closely.

China's President Hu Jintao waves during a ceremony at the Congress in Lima November 20, 2008. Hu is in Peru to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. [Agencies]

In an address to the Peruvian Congress during a state visit, Hu said China intended to add further momentum to already rapidly growing economic and other ties with Latin America and the Caribbean.

"Development is the most pressing task for both China and Latin America," Hu said, adding that China is willing to work together with the region toward an equal, mutually beneficial and comprehensive cooperative partnership.

"In our cooperation we will take care of Latin America's legitimate concerns and strive to realize mutually beneficial gains for all," he said.

He noted that China and Latin America should optimize their trade structures and increase mutual investment, especially in the fields of manufacturing, infrastructure construction, energy, minerals, agriculture and technology.

"China is willing to continue providing assistance for the economic and social development of Latin American and Caribbean countries within its ability," Hu said.

During his address, Hu also called for China and Latin America to join forces and participate in the framing of international economic, financial and trade rules, so as to help the international economy develop in a fairer and more reasonable direction in the wake of the global financial crisis.

China has repeatedly championed greater representation by developing nations on world economic bodies to ensure the interests of such countries are protected.

Hu's speech came at the end of his three-nation tour that has also taken him to Costa Rica and Cuba. Peru was the last stop, where Hu will take part in the APEC leaders' summit over the weekend.

China has a trade pact with Chile, and on Wednesday Hu and Peruvian President Alan Garcia said they had concluded negotiations for a similar deal between their countries.

"China and Peru have strong complementarities in the mining sector and there is massive potential for cooperation," Hu earlier told a breakfast with Peruvian and Chinese business leaders on Thursday.

Agencies-China Daily