BRASILIA, Nov. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao highlighted the role of Latin American countries in maintaining peace and promoting development in the world.

    Addressing the National Congress of Brazil on Friday, Hu hoped that China and Latin America will cooperate more closely and establish a stable long-term relationship.

    Hu said the two sides should deepen mutual understanding and political trust and support each other politically so as to become all-weather friends.

    Both sides should further strengthen coordination and cooperation in such issues as world peace and development, democracy, establishment of a just and reasonable international political and economic order and defence of the interests of developing countries.

    Economically, he said, the two sides should tap potential for economic cooperation to create a win-win situation.

    Hu hoped that by 2010 the two sides will boost their two-way trade to 100 billion US dollars a year and double their mutual investment.

    The Chinese president also said the two sides should enhance cultural exchange, deepen mutual understanding and promote world cultural diversification. Enditem