China, Chile Strengthen Economic Cooperation

China and Chile strengthened economic cooperation following the signing today of 11 agreements on investment, agriculture, energy, education and technology.

We have made progress towards greater cooperation, said President Sebastian Piñera, after meeting with the Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao, who is on an official visit to the South American country.

The visit has been very fruitful, Piñera emphasized, before reporting the creation of a joint working group to progress towards an agreement to avoid double taxation and to encourage bilateral investments.

Regarding the agricultural sector, Piñera said that agreements were sealed for facilitating trade and domestic agricultural exports to China, "which due to its enormous potential represents a huge development opportunity for Chilean agriculture."

The two parties also agreed to cooperate in training activities in the field of new telecommunications technologies, especially in mobile communications, high-speed networks and transmission systems.

With regard to investment, both sides expressed their willingness to accelerate them, as a sign of deepening besides the free trade agreement signed in 2005. China is Chile's largest trading partner.

Wen Jiabao will also be received today by parliamentary authorities and deliver a master class at the headquarters of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Chile is the fourth and final leg of a tour by Chinese President to South America, which included visits to Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina.