Xi Jinping Holds Talks with President Sebastian Pinera of Chile

On April 24, 2019, President Xi Jinping held talks with President Sebastian Pinera of Chile at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi Jinping pointed out that Chile is the first South American country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, the first Latin American country to recognize China's full market economy status and to sign and upgrade a bilateral free trade agreement with China, and an important cooperative partner for the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China-Chile relations have long been at the forefront of China-Latin America relations. We must continuously carry forward the spirit of breaking new ground, take the joint construction of the BRI as a new opportunity to deepen political mutual trust and practical cooperation, and push the China-Chile comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level. The two sides should integrate development strategies, come to a decision on the key areas and projects and facilitate the connectivity between Chile and Latin America. The two countries should promote the upgrading of bilateral trade and investment, and strengthen cooperation in areas such as mining, clean energy, telecommunication, e-commerce, technological innovation and Antarctic scientific research. Efforts should be made to better hold a series of celebrations next year that will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Chile diplomatic relations, and boost people-to-people ties. The Chinese side supports the Chilean side in hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting this year, and will work with Chile to push forward the construction of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific and uphold multilateralism as well as the multilateral trading system.

Xi Jinping stressed that the nature of cooperation between China and Latin American and Caribbean countries is South-South cooperation, and the two sides should continue to support and help each other, complement each other with respective strengths, and pursue mutual benefit and win-win results, so as to achieve common development and rejuvenation, and jointly forge a community with a shared future between China and Latin America.

Sebastian Pinera said that Chile and China had achieved marked progress in bilateral relations since the two countries established diplomatic relations 50 years ago. Chile admires the long history and the splendid civilization of China and speaks highly of China's tremendous achievements as well as huge contributions to mankind made over the 7 decades since the founding of the People's Republic of China. The joint construction of the BRI put forward by President Xi Jinping brings the glorious history of the ancient Silk Road back to life and boosts the exchanges between civilizations in the new era. Chile supports joint construction of the BRI to enhance connectivity among regions. The Chilean side hopes to learn from China's achievements in innovation-driven development and green development, as well as deepen and expand bilateral cooperation in relevant areas. With the commitment to safeguarding multilateralism and multilateral trading system, Chile is willing to enhance coordination and cooperation with the Chinese side on regional and multilateral affairs and continue to play an exemplary role in promoting relations between Latin America and China. The Chilean side has full confidence in and expectations for the future of Chile-China relations.

After the talks, the two heads of state also witnessed the signing of relevant bilateral cooperation documents.

Prior to the talks, Xi Jinping held a welcome ceremony for Sebastian Pinera at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Peng Liyuan, Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Padma Choling, Wang Yi, Liu Qibao, He Lifeng and others attended the meeting.