SANTIAGO, April 19
(Xinhua) -- Former Chilean President and
Senator Eduardo Frei on Friday hailed
Chile-China ties and called for
further enhancement of bilateral
cooperation.
Since Chile and
China forged diplomatic ties 43 years
ago, the two countries have enjoyed
friendly relations in political, economic
and trade, and cultural areas, Frei
said in an exclusive interview with
Xinhua.
The two sides need
to continue the joint efforts to
amplify and enrich their relations,
added the senator, who was about
to lead a parliamentary delegation to
visit China.
China is
Chile's biggest trading partner, and
the two countries have inked an
agreement to protect and facilitate
two-way investment, Frei
continued.
However, Chinese investment
in Chile stood at only 100 million
dollars, he noted, urging the two
countries to further promote investment
and establish joint
ventures.
The two sides, he
said, should also enhance cultural and
university exchanges, thus allowing more
Chilean youths to learn the Chinese
language and culture in
China.
It is a positive
step that the Chinese government has
taken the realization of the "Chinese
Dream" of national rejuvenation as one
of its priorities, he
said.
The Chilean people, he
added, is also striving for their
own dream of constructing a society
with more justice, solidarity and
public participation.