Chile looking to cement bilateral ties

When she sets foot on Chinese soil this week, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet will start off a stay many will see as more historically significant than the usual state visit.

Bachelet will be the first woman head of state from South America to visit China and the first Latin American president to speak at the Boao Forum for Asia, a three-day meeting for Asian governments, think tanks and enterprises that starts today in Hainan province.

Her visit will also include the signing of a groundbreaking deal to boost the economic ties between Chile and China.