
Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) shakes hands with his visiting
Chilean counterpart Michelle Jeria Bachelet during a welcoming ceremony in Sanya
of south China's Hainan Province on April 13, 2008. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)
SANYA, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao held official talks
with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet Jeria here on Sunday, with the two
leaders agreeing to promote bilateral all-round cooperative partnership to new
heights.
In their talks in Sanya City, Hu spoke highly of the development of
bilateral ties over the years. He added that cementing the Sino-Chilean
relations meets the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples
and helps deepen the mutual benefit and cooperation between Asia and Latin
America.
China has always been considering and handling the Sino-Chilean relations
from a strategic height, Hu said, calling on both countries to strengthen
political trust and enhance consultation.
He hoped the two countries would take the opportunity of signing a
supplementary agreement of China-Chilean Free Trade Agreement on service trade,
to open wider the service market.
China was willing to offer convenience for the cooperation between the two
countries' enterprises, Hu said, adding his country supported both nations'
quality-quarantine departments to enhance cooperation and set up a long-term
cooperation mechanism.
He called on both sides to step up cultural, educational and technological
cooperation and people-to-people exchanges in diversified areas, cementing
cooperation in multilateral organizations and on major international issues such
as UN reform and Doha Round negotiations.
Applauding Hu's proposals, Bachelet said Chile had always been committed to
developing relations with China since the establishment of diplomatic ties 38
years ago. Chile was the first among Latin American countries to cooperate with
China in many areas, and was confident about future bilateral ties.
Chile hoped to cooperate with China to deepen exchanges and cooperation in
politics, trade, investment, agriculture, Antarctic scientific exploration,
education and culture, and enhance coordination on international issues such as
climate change, she said.
Bachelet added her country was ready to play a positive role in promoting
China's relations with Latin American countries.
She also appreciated China's great achievement in its reform and opening-up
in the past 30 years, and extended best wishes for a complete success of the
upcoming Beijing Olympic Games.
Hu expressed appreciation for Chile's adherence to the one-China policy and
its precious support for China on Taiwan and Tibet issues.
After their talks, the two leaders attended a signing ceremony of eight
cooperative agreements between the two countries.
Bachelet arrived in Sanya on Friday to start her first state visit to China
as guest of Hu. She attended the annual meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia
(BFA), which opened on Saturday afternoon in Boao, Hainan Province.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (2nd R) shakes hands with an official
among the entourage of visiting Chilean President Michelle Jeria Bachelet (1st
R) during a welcoming ceremony in Sanya of south China's Hainan Province on
April 13, 2008. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Hu Jintao (C) and his visiting Chilean
counterpart Michelle Jeria Bachelet (3rd L Back) attend a signing ceremony of
agreements between the two countries in Sanya of south China's Hainan Province
on April 13, 2008. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

Chinese President Hu Jintao hosts a welcoming ceremony for his
visiting Chilean counterpart Michelle Jeria Bachelet in Sanya of south China's
Hainan Province on April 13, 2008. (Xinhua/Lai Xiangdong)

Chinese President Hu Jintao hosts a welcoming ceremony for his
visiting Chilean counterpart Michelle Jeria Bachelet in Sanya of south China's
Hainan Province on April 13, 2008. (Xinhua/Lai Xiangdong)

Chinese President Hu Jintao (2nd R) holds talks with his visiting
Chilean counterpart Michelle Jeria Bachelet (2nd L) in Sanya of south China's
Hainan Province on April 13, 2008. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)