China and Chile have decided to initiate talks on a free trade
agreement, leaders of the two countries announced in Santiago
Thursday.
President Ricardo Lagos Escobar called the decision an
"important step" for Chile, which will become the first South
American nation to start such negotiations with China.
Lagos also confirmed that Chile has already decided to formally
recognize China's status as a full market economy.
He and President Hu Jintao
witnessed the signing of several agreements, under which China
includes Chile on its list of outbound tourist destinations and the
two countries agree to boost cooperation in fields including
agriculture, mineral resources and medicine.
The two leaders also promised to promote a full-range
cooperative partnership.
Hu said their relationship is currently in its "best period" in
history since the two countries established full diplomatic
relations 34 years ago.
"The fact that we signed a number of agreements here today
demonstrates China and Chile have begun sincere and mutual
cooperation on an equal footing," Hu said, adding that "China-Chile
relations will have a bright future."
Chile was China's third largest trading partner among South
American nations; trade between them reached US$3.5 billion in
2003, up 37.6 percent on the previous year.
(Xinhua News Agency November 19, 2004)