China confident in Latin American development: FM

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) and visiting Argentine Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra attend a joint news conference in Beijing, May 19, 2016. [Photo by Zou Hong/chinadaily.com.cn]

China remains confident in Latin America's development prospects, and will continue to strengthen cooperation with the region, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.

Wang made the remarks in a joint news conference with visiting Argentine Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra in Beijing.

On the subject of slowing economic growth in Latin America, Wang said countries will overcome difficulties and maintain regional development and stability, as long as they continue to promote reform and strengthen regional collaboration.

He said China and Latin America still see opportunities for mutual development.

Acknowledging that the volume in bilateral trade in traditional goods has declined due to commodity prices, Wang said China-Latin American cooperation has been developing rapidly in emerging fields such as investment, finance and infrastructure construction, which will "bring new and strong power" to bilateral cooperation.

In a meeting with Malcorra on Thursday, Wang said China hopes to strengthen mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation with Argentina and develop the two countries' relations "under new circumstances".

Malcorra said at the meeting that the new Argentine government is dedicated to consolidating and developing the Argentine-Chinese comprehensive strategic partnership, and making ties between the two countries a leading example of Latin America-Chinese relations.

She said Argentina will continue to support the One China policy, and welcomes China to continue cooperation in Argentina's major infrastructure projects.

Malcorra is on a visit to China from Wednesday to Friday. Her visit follows Argentine President Mauricio Macri meeting with President Xi Jinping in Washington on April 1.