Argentina set to expand ties with China

A top Argentinan official on Friday underscored the strength of the country's ties with China and expects to increase cooperation with the Asian giant in the future.

"Ties with China are strategic, so it is important to take advantage of the existing channels of dialogue and relaunch the meeting of the mixed commission in the coming months to advance matters of trade, technical cooperation and investment," said the Cabinet Chief of Argentina's Ministry of Agro-industry Guillermo Bernaudo in a statement, according to the ministry.

Bernaudo is a member of an official mission to China, headed by Foreign Affairs Minister Susana Malcorra, which aims to expand bilateral ties.

Argentina is keen to assess "elements that will channel investment flows to productive sectors in our country" and "the possibility of advancing joint cooperation" in third countries, said Bernaudo, noting the existing potential in Argentina's agro-industrial sector.

The South American country, a traditional producer and exporter of primary agricultural products, hopes to increase its exports of high-tech and value-added goods to China.

Beijing, meanwhile, has been very active in helping to modernize and strengthen certain strategic industries in Argentina, including the railroad sector, hydraulic engineering and nuclear energy.

The two countries established diplomatic ties in 1972. Endi