On January 26, 2021, Chinese Ambassador to Argentina Mr. Zou Xiaoli published on Télam, state news agency of Argentina, a signed article entitled “Friends Sharing the Same Ideals Are not Separated by Mountains and Seas”, in which he reviewed the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the development of strategic partnership and the growth into a comprehensive strategic partnership as well as the fruitful outcomes in the development of relations between the two countries amid the pandemic. The ambassador pointed out that joint epidemic response and deepened cooperation haveenhanced friendship between the two peoples, injected development confidence, and sent positive energy to the world. He emphasized that China-Argentina relations have entered the fast track of development, which will benefit the two peoples even more and contribute further to peace, progress, cooperation, and prosperity of the world. The full article runs as follows:
At the very beginning of 2021, President Xi Jinping and President Fernández sent letters to each other. As pointed out by President Xi, peoples of the two countries have helped each other in the fight against COVID-19, bringing traditional friendship to a new height. These words carry great weight.
Shortly after the PRC was founded, a business delegation of Argentina visited China. In the 1960’, Argentina exported large amount of tannin extract and wheat to China, providing strong support for China’s economic development. In the 1970s’, cardiologists of Argentina helped train the first group of Chinese cardiac surgeons of international standards, who then saved countless lives. After the Wenchuan Earthquake in 2008, Argentina expressed condolences to China and donated relief materials. When China resumed its sovereignty over Hong Kong and Macaw, the Argentine people and the Chinese people cheered side by side. The Neuquen deep space station played an important role in China’s lunar project, Mars probe project and other aerospace projects.
At the beginning of 2020, when China was battling COVID-19, the Argentine government and various communities cheered China on. After the outbreak of COVID-19 in Argentina, President Xi Jinping showed personal care and called on joint response. In April last year, President Xi Jinping sent a letter to President Fernández to express condolences on behalf of the Chinese government and people. China has sent continuous anti-epidemic materials to Argentina, shared without reservation China’s experiences in therapeutics, thus building an “air bridge” of transportation between the two countries. In July last year, President Xi Jinping sent letter to President Fernández once again to express the wish of the Chinese side to further deepen friendly exchanges and pragmatic cooperation in various areas. Export of agricultural products of Argentina to China increased despite the pandemic. Mutton, beans, and lemon of Argentina have got approval to enter the Chinese market. President Fernández was invited to address the Global Trade in Services Summit of the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services. Major projects between the two countries have registered steady progress. In September, President Xi Jinping and President Fernández held phone call for the first time, in which the leaders expressed full confidence for future cooperation. Central Banks of the two countries renewed agreement of currency swaps. The two countries have started joint clinical trials on COVID-19 vaccines. China has successfully launched 10 remote-sensing satellites to projected orbits for Argentina. The two sides also signed cooperation agreement on the Beidou Navigation System and the agreement on railway cooperation.
Looking back, stories abound for friendship between the two countries. Looking ahead, new chapters will be written for bilateral cooperation. China-Argentina relations have gone the extraordinary trajectory from strategic partnership for development to comprehensive strategic partnership. When it comes to sovereignty and territorial integrity and development path as well as issues of core interests and major concerns, the two countries have always respected and supported each other. When facing major natural disasters and public health threats, the two countries have watched out for each other and tided over difficulties together. On the path to economic revitalization and national development, the two countries have always strengthened cooperation and mutual benefit. In the process of promoting multilateralism, globalization and sustainable development, the two countries have coordinated with each other through thick and thin. Argentine media often quote the words that “the way to be brothers is through unity”, which also fully demonstrate China-Argentina relations in the new era. Despite the vast distance between China and Argentina, the two countries have learned about each other, helped each other, and understood each other, demonstrating that it is the trend of the times to seek fundamental interests of individual countries, universal values and shared sentiments. Mankind is a community with a shared future.
COVID-19 is still raging around the world. Facing severe global challenges of economic recession, climate change, and cyber security, the only way forward is to transcend differences in ideology, social systems and development stages and work together like passengers in the same boat. Fearless of the vast distances between us and the turbulence of the world, our two countries have deepened friendship, boosted confidence and sent a positive message to the whole world. President Xi Jinping and President Fernández agreed to strengthen cooperation on vaccine development and use, promote high-quality Belt and Road development and build a community of a shared future for mankind. We are convinced that China-Argentina relations will enter a fast track of development, bring more benefit to peoples of the two countries and make greater contribution to peace, progress, cooperation and prosperity of the world.
