Interview: Week of Chile to be held in China to deepen ties: official

The first "Week of Chile in China", set to be held on Aug. 23-28, will seek to deepen multi-faceted ties and develop initiatives to bring more Chinese capital to Chile, a Chilean official told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Andres Rebolledo, director of economic relations at the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the event seeks to enhance economic cooperation and promote Chilean history and culture in China through various activities.

It also aims to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Chile.

"China has been Chile's main trading partner for years," the official said, adding that Chile would work hard to further promote exports through its four commercial offices in China.

"The 'Week of Chile in China' will revolve around this theme and will seek to attract more Chinese investment to our country," he said.

Bilateral trade reached 14.32 billion U.S. dollars in 2014 and Chinese investment in Chile reached 14.24 billion dollars by last year, according to China's Ministry of Commerce.

During the event, former President Eduardo Frei, who is now the special ambassador to the Asia-Pacific, will head a delegation to China. He will be accompanied by minister of public works, minister of economy, development and tourism, and other businessmen.

The atmosphere is reminicent of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Chile in May, during which important deals were signed between the two countries and a series of mechanisms were created, Rebolledo said.

"The elimination of double taxation, the convertibility of the renminbi and the ease with which citizens of both countries can obtain visas all show how much we want to attract Chinese capital to our country," he said.

Rebolledo said infrastructure and energy are key sectors where China can help. "The Chilean energetic matrix can be expanded with Chinese generators and other renewable sources. On renewable energy, China has begun collaborating with Chile in the north of the country," he said.

Furthermore, Chinese investment has begun flowing toward the Chilean wine industry to help ramp up production.

China became a priority in Chile's foreign policy as "we decided to enhance economical ties with Asian countries since many years ago," . Rebolledo said.

"We have the largest network of embassies and commercial offices in Asia among Latin American nations, despite being a small nation. This has led to approximately half of Chile's exports heading to Asia," added the economist.

However, the "Week of Chile in China" will not only target trade and investment as it will also showcase Chilean cultural activities, including an artistic demonstration, seminars about Chilean wine and a promotion of its main tourism centers.

During the event, a Chilean pavilion will be opened in Shanghai, which will focus on sectors such as fruit, seafood, wine, tourism, crafts, and services.

Seminars on infrastructure, agriculture and energy to boost participation of Chilean and Chinese companies will be held in Beijing. Endi