BEIJING, Feb 6 (NNN-XINHUA) – China and Argentina signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Belt and Road Initiative, according to a joint statement, yesterday, after a meeting between Chinese President, Xi Jinping and his Argentine counterpart, Alberto Fernandez.
At China’s invitation, Fernandez is paying a visit to China, during which he attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, on Friday night.
The MoU, on jointly promoting the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, between the government of the People’s Republic of China and the government of the Argentine Republic was signed, as the two countries mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, this year.
The two sides laid down a framework for sustainable development and inclusive economic cooperation, so as to further promote actions, and projects for deepening, innovating, and diversifying their economic relations and enhancing regional connectivity.
They also studied bilateral trade cooperation and agreed to continue to expand trade, enhance financial support for China’s export settlement to Argentina, and actively encourage trade diversification, the statement said.
China and Argentina reaffirmed commitment, to expedite the completion of negotiations on existing inspection and quarantine agreements, and convene meetings to achieve this goal.
They underscored the importance of strengthening institutional consultations, to promote trade opportunities that benefit both countries, the statement said, adding, in the context of COVID-19, the two sides will use video consultations when necessary, so as to facilitate trade, it said.
Based on their respective interests and national laws, the two sides agreed to actively advance bilateral investment, expand economic complementarity and seek new economic opportunities. The statement added that they agreed to boost green sustainable development, and investment and cooperation in the digital economy.
The two sides also expressed satisfaction with the recently-held fifth strategic dialogue for economic cooperation and coordination between China and Argentina, the statement said.– NNN-XINHUA
