SINGAPORE, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao said Friday that China is ready to work with Chile to advance their relations and the relations between China and Latin America.

    Hu spoke during a meeting with his Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet Jeria ahead of the APEC Economic Leaders' summit, scheduled for Nov. 14-15 in Singapore.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with his Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet Jeria in Singapore, Nov. 13, 2009. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Photo Gallery>>>

    Speaking highly of new progress in China-Chile relations, Hu put forward three proposals toward further advancing the relations.

    First, Hu said, the two countries should maintain high-level contacts and continue to support each other on issues of major concern and interest on both sides.

    Secondly, Hu proposed that both sides join hands in addressing the impact of the international financial crisis by adopting positive measures to maintain a stable growth of bilateral trade.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (back R3) and his Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet Jeria (back L2) attend the signing ceremony of the cooperation documents after their meeting in Singapore, Nov. 13, 2009. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) Photo Gallery>>>

    He also said the two countries should work for an early implementation of their bilateral service trade agreement and accelerate negotiations on a bilateral investment agreement based on reciprocity and mutual benefits.

    The Chinese government, Hu said, would continue to encourage and support China's well-established companies to invest and do business in Chile.

    Third, Hu said China and Chile should take advantage of next year's 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties to expand cultural exchanges so as to enhance their mutual understanding and friendship.

    Hu also thanked Chile for its unswerving adherence to the one China policy and its understanding and support on issues concerning Taiwan and Tibet.

    Bachelet said she is satisfied with the smooth development of relations with China. She said that bilateral cooperation has grown close because the free trade zone between the two countries works well.

    She also said she hopes both sides work together to consolidate their comprehensive friendly cooperation, proposing such areas as mining, science and technology, exchanges between local governments and exploration of the South Pole.

    Agreeing with Bachelet, Hu also expressed willingness to expand cooperation with Chile in those fields.

    In terms of Latin American as a whole, the Chinese president appreciated the important role that Chile has played in maintaining solidarity and cooperation in the region.

    Bachelet said Chile highly praised China's 2008 Policy Paper on Latin America and the Caribbean region.

    She said Chile is ready to play an active role in advancing China-Latin America relations.

    Regarding climate change, Hu said the international community has paid great attention to the Climate Change Summit scheduled for December in Copenhagen, Denmark.

    He expressed hope that the summit could reach a fair and balanced agreement based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

    Noting that China and Chile share similar or common stances on the issue, Hu and Bachelet agreed to strengthen their communications and cooperation to push for positive results at the Copenhagen summit.

    After the meeting, the two leaders attended a signing ceremony of two cooperative documents on civil flights and cooperation in customs.

    The Chinese president arrived here on Wednesday for a state visit and to attend the 17th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

 Special report: President Hu Visits Malaysia, Singapore, Attends APEC summit