Foreign and Military Affairs

Argentine ambassador: Ties with China important

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-04-07 14:14

BUENOS AIRES - Argentine Ambassador to China Cesar Mayoral said here on Tuesday that the bilateral relations between his country and China are "very important."

"There is not an official confirmation" that the Chinese government has imposed restrictions on Argentine soya oil exports as reported by local and international press, Moyoral said in an interview with Xinhua. "A commercial conflict could affect bilateral ties", he added.

Mayoral said that if the restrictions are factual, both sides will work to solve the issue according to existing agreements between the two countries.

Mayoral also pointed a finger to Argentine Industry and Tourism Minister Debora Giorgi, who refused to recognize China as a market economy.

He said "those are things that have to be discussed" and efforts will be made to "clear those questions that upset the Chinese government."

The ambassador said Argentina is now "studying" some immigration issues to narrow differences with China in this field, including a major issue regarding Chinese citizens who come to do business in Argentina.

He said Argentina will sign "an immigration document" with China similar to the one it signed with India to meet the requests of Chinese businessmen in Argentina who complain about the limited number of days they are allowed to stay in the country, which makes it inconvenient for them to do business there.

He added that the two-way trade is growing and he is "optimistic" about the prospects of bilateral trade relations.