Feature: Argentines sense more Chinese elements in daily life

China's long-term friendship with Argentina can be felt in the capital city in many ways: trains made in China connecting the city hub and the outskirts, Chinese cars running in the streets, and Chinese paintings in a museum.

On Tuesday, Argentina began to receive locomotives from China, under a plan to revamp its cargo train services.

The arrival of these locomotives is crucial for the transformation of the Argentine rail network and will benefit local producers and regional economies, said Ezequiel Lemos, head of Belgrano Cargas, an Argentine train cargo company.

With hundreds of wagons already received by Argentina, the Chinese trains are serving the Mitre line, from the center of Buenos Aires to the north; the westbound Sarmiento line; and the southbound Roca line.

In addition to trains, more Chinese automobiles are seen in the streets. The opening of the Argentine car market this year gave Chinese brands the opportunity to compete in the South American country.

Several Chinese carmakers, including Chery, Lifan, and Foton, are selling their products in Argentina. Geely also began commercial operations in the country on Monday.

Chinese culture is also featured in Buenos Aires. The National Museum of Decorative Art on Tuesday opened a show on traditional Chinese paintings on fans, on seals and calligraphy.

"China has a special legacy in the quality of its tracing and lines, filled with delicacy and personal depth. We hope this exhibition ... will have the success it deserves, as it is a balm for the soul," Alberto Bellucci, the museum director, told Xinhua. Endi