President Hu: China, Chile have always been great partners, friends

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-14-2008 08:21

Chile's President, Michelle Bachelet, is in China for an official state visit. Chinese President Hu Jintao hosted a welcome ceremony for Bachelet in Sanya City, in south China's Hainan Province. The two heads of state then discussed Sino-Chilean ties and other issues of common concern.

Chinese President Hu Jintao hosted a welcome ceremony for Bachelet in Sanya City, in south China''s Hainan Province.

This is President Bachelet's first official visit to China since taking office in March 2006.

President Hu Jintao and President Bachelet both attended the Boao Forum for Asia on Saturday in the island province.

Following the welcome ceremony, the two presidents and their delegations held talks to address international and regional issues of common concern.

President Hu says China and Chile have always been great partners and friends. And the development of Sino-Chilean ties benefits both peoples. He stressed that China is dedicated to promoting bilateral ties from a strategic point of view, and further strengthen the comprehensive cooperative partnership with Chile. President Hu added that the two countries should maintain high level political, economic and social exchanges, in order to strengthen mutual understanding and achieve a win-win result.

President Bachelet agreed with Hu Jintao. She said 2008 is a very important year for China as it's the 30th anniversary of China's reform and opening up, and Beijing will host the 29th Olympic Games. Bachelet praised China's rapid development over the past decade, and emphasized that China's growth provides enormous opportunities for cooperation between Asian and Latin American countries. She reiterated Chile's one-China policy, and said her country's opposition to Taiwan and Tibet independence will not change. On behalf of the Chilean government and people, Bachelet wished the upcoming Olympics a success.

After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of several bilateral cooperation documents.

Editor:Zhang Ning