BUENOS AIRES, Nov. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- Argentine Vice-President Daniel Scioli has said Chinese President Hu Jintao's upcoming visit is "a historic event" and relations between Argentina and China are of "great importance" to the future of the Latin American country.

    "In the same year when President Nestor Kirchner visited China,President Hu's visit to our country is a historic event," Scioli said Monday. President Kirchner paid a six-day state visit to China in June.

    Scioli said the economic and trade ties between Argentina and China are complementary, and both sides will strengthen exchanges in the field.

    State Secretary of Information Enrique Alberstur also welcome Hu's visit with high praise.

    "The Argentine government and people are looking forward to President Hu's upcoming visit," he said in an interview with Xinhua.

    "The visit not only is an important event for Argentina and China, but has far-reaching impact on the whole Latin American region," Alberstur said.

    Alberstur dismissed the so-called "China threat," adding that Argentinians see "China hope" instead.

    "China's rapid development has brought us new hope," he said.

    Alberstur said Hu's visit will definitely further boost the development of bilateral ties.

    The Argentine government and its people welcome investment from Chinese enterprises, hope to expand trade and economic cooperation with China and to enhance mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries through more cultural exchanges, he added.

    Argentina's business circle welcomes Hu's visit and sees it as an opportunity.

    Julio Werthein, chairman of the Argentina-China Chamber of Commerce, said on Tuesday that Hu's visit will be an important opportunity for Argentine enterprises. "China is a very good, reliable and serious partner," he said.

    Cooperation projects between enterprises of the two countries will play a positive role in Argentina's economic development, Werthein said.

    Jorge Aguello, chairman of foreign affairs commission of Argentina's lower house, said the consensus reached by the two countries can be understood as South-South cooperation, which willhelp the development of the Mercosur (Common Market of the South) and other Latin American countries.

    Hu is scheduled to visit Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Cuba on Nov. 11-23 and attend the 12th Informal Leadership Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation to be held on Nov. 20-21 in Santiago, capital of Chile. Enditem