China congratulates new leader
SANTIAGO - President-elect Sebastian Pinera met with Yin Weimin, China's human resources and social security minister, ahead of Thursday's inauguration ceremony. Yin said he conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes from President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao. He also conveyed the deepest condolences and solidarity of the Chinese people and government "for the serious earthquake that this noble nation has suffered."
"We agreed on the need to further consolidate political links, to develop new economic and trade cooperation projects, and to make more effort in cultural exchange," Yin said.
Last week, China sent in an aircraft carrying $2 million worth of aid materials, including 700 tents, 10,000 blankets, 100 portable electricity generators and two water purification units.
Trade between Chile and China reached over $17.4 billion in 2009, thanks to a free trade agreement that came into force in 2006.
China is Chile's largest trade partner and a main consumer of the country's copper exports.
Xinhua
(China Daily 03/12/2010 page12)
