Chilean President Sebastian Pinera said on Tuesday that Chile is interested in strengthening cooperation and bilateral relations with China.
Pinera told reporters that during his visit to Beijing last month, "a new phase" of relations between the two countries has begun.
He said that China is the largest trade partner with Chile and their bilateral trade will surpass 22 billion U.S. dollars this year.
Pinera said that the Chilean government will not only strengthen trade, but also "get to know China's preferences" since Chile can offer a variety of products to satisfy the needs of China's expanding market.
However, he noted that investment and trade between both countries were small, expecting Chile and China would make efforts to expand mutual investments, which was one of the main objectives of his recent visit to China.
Pinera made a state visit to China in November, during which he met with Chinese President Hu Jintao and other leaders.
Both countries have agreed to negotiate an investment agreement as part of the Free Trade Agreement that already includes goods and services.
During Pinera's visit to China, the Bank of Chile, and the China Development Bank and the China Construction Bank signed cooperation agreements to back bilateral investment.
Chile is hoping to become the gateway for Chinese products and investment to South America, as the Chilean government wants to move the country toward an "export culture" with the goal of exporting products with greater added values, not only those primary materials like copper.
Chile was the first country in Latin America to finalize bilateral negotiations so that China could enter the World Trade Organization. It also was the first Latin American country that has recognized the status of the market economy of China.
Currently, Chile is China's second largest trade partner in Latin America, and China is the main trade partner with Chile in the world.
Pinera told reporters that during his visit to Beijing last month, "a new phase" of relations between the two countries has begun.
He said that China is the largest trade partner with Chile and their bilateral trade will surpass 22 billion U.S. dollars this year.
Pinera said that the Chilean government will not only strengthen trade, but also "get to know China's preferences" since Chile can offer a variety of products to satisfy the needs of China's expanding market.
However, he noted that investment and trade between both countries were small, expecting Chile and China would make efforts to expand mutual investments, which was one of the main objectives of his recent visit to China.
Pinera made a state visit to China in November, during which he met with Chinese President Hu Jintao and other leaders.
Both countries have agreed to negotiate an investment agreement as part of the Free Trade Agreement that already includes goods and services.
During Pinera's visit to China, the Bank of Chile, and the China Development Bank and the China Construction Bank signed cooperation agreements to back bilateral investment.
Chile is hoping to become the gateway for Chinese products and investment to South America, as the Chilean government wants to move the country toward an "export culture" with the goal of exporting products with greater added values, not only those primary materials like copper.
Chile was the first country in Latin America to finalize bilateral negotiations so that China could enter the World Trade Organization. It also was the first Latin American country that has recognized the status of the market economy of China.
Currently, Chile is China's second largest trade partner in Latin America, and China is the main trade partner with Chile in the world.
