China and Chile pledge to strengthen cooperation, align development strategies

China is ready to work with Chile to deepen cooperation in regard to the APEC "China Year", and accelerate the building of an Asia-Pacific community and the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday.

Wang made the remarks during a meeting with Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Perez Mackenna in Beijing.

Chile was the first South American country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China and the first Latin American country to sign a free trade agreement with China.

Wang called on the two countries to strengthen the alignment of their development strategies and steadily advance existing cooperation projects, while tapping into the potential for cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence and the digital economy.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Transcending differences between political parties, Chile has always been at the forefront among Latin American and Caribbean countries in developing relations with China, Wang said.

Wang stressed China's readiness to work with Chile's new government to carry forward traditional friendship, deepen practical cooperation, and push bilateral relations to a new level.

The two countries should also enhance communication and coordination, and jointly advocate and practice genuine multilateralism, he added.

Perez Mackenna said the new Chilean government is ready to intensify high-level exchanges with China, strengthen people-to-people bonds, enhance industrial chain connectivity, and expand cooperation in areas such as scientific and technological innovation, AI, and talent training.

Chile welcomes greater Chinese investment and will continue to open its markets and provide a sound business environment, he said.