CARACAS, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on Tuesday hailed the vigorous growth in relations between China and Latin America in recent years.
The scope and pace of cooperation between China and Latin America has reached an "unprecedented" level since the beginning of the new century, Xi said in a speech at the opening of a seminar attended by Chinese and Venezuelan entrepreneurs.
Bilateral trade reached 143.39 billion U.S. dollars in 2008, 39.7 percent up from the previous year and 10 times that of 2000, Xi noted.
Meanwhile, mutual investment has been growing with areas of cooperation being expanded, he said, adding that trade and economic cooperation has shown excellent prospects for all-around development.
China, the largest developing country in the world, is ready to join hands with Latin America, one of the world's major developing regions, to push forward their cooperation and raise it to a still higher level, he said.
China and Latin American nations -- whose combined population makes up a fourth of the world's total -- are all at a crucial stage of socio-economic development, he said.
Under the current circumstances, while standing up to the serious challenges brought about by the global financial crisis, one should not lose sight of the new emerging opportunities for all-around cooperation between the two sides, he said.
The Chinese vice president put forward a four-point proposal for strengthening all-around cooperation for common development.
First, efforts should be made to promote mutual political trust, bearing in mind the importance of long-term development of friendly cooperation.
China is ready to maintain high-level visits and contacts with Latin American nations and favors increased mutual understanding and support on issues of mutual concern, he said.
Both sides should strive to improve the existing bilateral and multilateral mechanisms of political consultations and dialogue and coordinate cooperation in various fields from a strategic height and long-term perspective.
In face of the global financial crisis, China is ready to work with Latin American nations to strengthen coordination and boost confidence so as to contribute to the stable growth of the global economy, Xi said.
Second, mutually cooperation should be deepened.
China is ready to continue to expand trade and mutual investment with Latin American nations, push forward pragmatic cooperation in such key areas as energy, finance, agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure and the high-tech industry.
The Chinese government is ready to join hands with Latin American governments to further promote strategic cooperation between companies from both sides and make continued efforts to ensure more success in hosting the China-Latin America Business Summit and the China-Caribbean Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum, he said.
Third, efforts should be made to boost human and cultural exchanges, with a view to cementing the foundation of the China-Latin American friendship.
China is ready to enhance exchanges with Latin American nations in the fields of culture, education, health, sports and tourism, and carry out practical cooperation in poverty alleviation, social security, environmental protection and disaster relief.
Both sides should also expand exchanges between youth and women organizations as well as media organizations and academic institutions in efforts to promote understanding and friendship between the Chinese and Latin American peoples, Xi said.
Fourth, both sides should strengthen consultation and cooperation in international affairs.
China is ready to strengthen coordination with Latin American nations, through participating in regional and international organizations or other multilateral mechanisms, in jointly safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of the developing nations.
Both sides should work together to push for the establishment of a global economic system for sustainable development, an inclusive international financial system, a fair and equitable international trading system and a fair and efficient global development system.
Both sides should urge the developed countries to fulfill their commitments in terms of increasing investments and aid, reducing trade barriers, speeding up technology transfer and reducing and writing off debts, he said.
China is a staunch force for maintaining world peace and the Chinese people are trustworthy friends of the Latin American people, Xi said.
China and Latin America enjoy a profound traditional friendship and share broad common interests. China is ready to work with Latin American nations to write a new chapter in the efforts to establish partnership for all-around cooperation between China and Latin America, said the vice president.
Xi arrived Tuesday in Caracas for an official visit to Venezuela, the fourth leg of his six-nation tour, which will also take him to Brazil and Malta. Earlier, he had visited Mexico, Jamaica and Colombia.
In November 2008, China issued its first Policy Paper on Latin America and the Caribbean, seeking to build and develop a comprehensive and cooperative partnership featuring equality, mutual benefit and common development with the region.
