Xi celebrates bilateral ties
President sends messages to Argentina, Sri Lanka leaders to mark key anniversaries, cooperation
President Xi Jinping sent separate messages of congratulation in recent days to Argentina and Sri Lanka, in each case celebrating mutually beneficial cooperation.
China and Argentina, which observers said have set an example of solidarity and cooperation among developing nations, have vowed to further promote their comprehensive strategic partnership as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
President Xi and Argentine President Alberto Fernandez exchanged congratulations on Feb 19 on the anniversary, with both leaders pledging to bring bilateral ties to a new stage.
In his congratulatory message to his Argentine counterpart, Xi said China-Argentina friendly exchanges enjoy a long history. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties half a century ago, bilateral relations have seen remarkable progress, with cooperation intensifying in various fields, he added.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the people of the two countries have stood together and helped each other, writing a new chapter in the SinoArgentine friendship, Xi said.
He spoke of the meeting between
him and Fernandez when the Argentine leader attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics earlier this month, saying they have drawn up a blueprint for the development of bilateral relations.
Noting that they both announced the launch of the 2022 Year of China-Argentina Friendship and Cooperation during that meeting, Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations, and stands ready to work with Fernandez to lift bilateral cooperation to a new level in order to benefit the two countries and their people.
Fernandez said in his message that on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two
countries, he would like to express the joy of the Argentine people to Xi and the brotherly Chinese people.
The Argentine government and people sincerely appreciate China’s assistance during their toughest times in the fight against the pandemic, Fernandez said, adding that he would like to work with Xi to promote bilateral cooperation and further consolidate the friendship between the two governments and two peoples.
China-Argentina cooperation has been deepening in various fields over the years, with bilateral trade rising from $6 million in 1972 to $18 billion in 2021, a 3,000-fold increase.
The two countries support each other on issues concerning each other’s sovereignty, security and core development interests and major concerns.
“China supports Argentina’s legitimate claim to fully exercise sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands. Argentina has always adhered to the one-China principle,” said Zou Xiaoli, Chinese ambassador to Argentina, in an article provided to China Daily. “Both China and Argentina stand for multilateralism and promote democracy in international relations.”
President Xi praised China and Sri Lanka on Feb 17 for setting an example of friendly coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries different in size, and he called for steady progress in the future development of bilateral ties.
Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remark in a congratulatory letter to the ChinaSri Lanka political parties conference commemorating the 65th anniversary of China-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations and the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Rubber-Rice Pact.
Seven decades ago, China and Sri Lanka signed the Rubber-Rice Pact against all odds, opening the door to friendly exchanges, Xi said.
Signed in 1952, the pact was a trade agreement under which Sri Lanka supplied rubber to China in exchange for rice. It was the first kind of governmental trade agreement signed between countries with no diplomatic ties and different social systems. It led to the establishment of diplomatic relations and expansion of trade between the two nations.
Xi said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and Sri Lanka have shown mutual respect, solidarity and mutual assistance to each other and supported each other on issues concerning their respective core interests.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two sides have been upholding the spirit of mutual assistance, jointly fighting the pandemic and elevating their traditional friendship, he added.
Xi stressed that the CPC has maintained friendly exchanges with major political parties in Sri Lanka and promoted pragmatic cooperation, which played a significant role in the sound and stable development of bilateral ties and benefited their peoples.
The CPC stands ready to work together with all political parties of Sri Lanka at the new starting point of the 65th anniversary to push forward bilateral traditional friendship and strengthen political guidance of China-Sri Lanka relations.
He also urged the two sides to jointly promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region.