On March 30, 2022, Ambito Financiero, mainstream newspaper of Argentina, carried an exclusive interview with Chinese ambassador to Argentina Mr. Zou Xiaoli. Ambassador Zou elaborated on Chinese positions on the signing of the MoU on Belt and Road Cooperation between the two countries, the debt negotiations between Argentina and the IMF, 5G, infrastructure development, etc.
On the signing of the MoU on Belt and Road cooperation between the two countries, Ambassador Zou pointed out that Belt and Road cooperation always follows the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared results, with the focus on policy communication, infrastructure connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people exchanges. Belt and Road cooperation aims at fully tapping the respective strength in resource endowments, economic complementarities, and cooperation potential of partner countries so as to expand the space for cooperation and realize common development and prosperity. The signing of the MoU on Belt and Road cooperation will create favorable conditions for the two sides to deepen cooperation. First, through multi-level mechanisms of communication and exchanges between the two governments, there will be greater integration of interests and political mutual trust. The strategies for economic development of the two sides will be further dovetailed. Long-term cooperation plans will be formulated. Problems arising in the course of cooperation will be properly resolved, with policy support for large-scale projects. Second, with priority on infrastructure development, joint efforts will be made to press ahead with major transport corridors both within Argentina and in the region. The sea-rail transport will be further smoothed out, with increased maritime routes and cruises as well as expanded cooperation on civil aviation. Third, efforts will be stepped up to promote investment and trade facilitation to create a more favorable business environment, unleash cooperation potential, expand the scale of trade and realize diversified and balanced development of trade. Mutual investment will be scaled up. Whole-industrial chain cooperation will be conducted in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery. New progress will be registered in clean energy cooperation on hydro-power, wind power, solar power, and nuclear power. There will be enhanced cooperation in emerging industries such as information technology, space technology, bio technology, environmental protection, the marine environment and tourism. Fourth, China will provide more financial support for Argentina in export settlement, with larger scales of currency swaps. The two sides are encouraged to use their own currencies in bilateral trade and investment. As a result, the businesses of the two sides will be spared of much costs in the exchanges of currencies, thus exposed to less exchanges risks. A more enabling environment will be created for local currency settlement, with a greater role of the RMB settlement bank in Argentina. Fifth, there will be extensive cultural and sports exchanges and greater interactions through the non-governmental channel and media cooperation. More cooperation will be explored in scientific innovation, health, disaster prevention and relief, the expansion of overseas students, etc. Sub-national cooperation will be encouraged. The legislatures, political parties and think tanks will serve as bridges to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples and provide solid public support for the deepening of bilateral relations. Ambassador Zou stressed that the signing of the MoU on Belt and Road cooperation is a new milestone in bilateral relations and a joyous event in China-Latin America cooperation. With the joint efforts of both sides, Belt and Road cooperation between China and Argentina is sure to yield more fruitful results and facilitate greater progress in China-Latin America relations in the new era based on equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and tangible benefits for the people, making new contribution to building a community with a shared future for mankind.
On the debt negotiations between Argentina and the IMF, Ambassador Zou pointed out that China always respects and supports the efforts of Argentina for solving the debt issue and is fully confident for their positive outcome. China also stands ready to provide assistance and cooperation with Argentina on bilateral and multilateral levels. China is happy to note the agreement between Argentina and the IMF on the debt issue, which is in line with the interests of Argentina and the expectations of the international community and will help safeguard financial stability and promote trade and investment cooperation.
On the energy potential of Argentina, Ambassador Zou pointed out that Argentina is rich in oil and gas resources and has abundant resources in hydro power, solar power and wind power. It is also quite strong in the development of nuclear power and is rich in lithium ores. Argentina thus has rich potential in the development of the energy industry. It can well realize energy self-efficiency and can even have export capabilities. In recent years, China and Argentina have had fruitful cooperation in clean energy such as hydro power, PV, and wind energy. Development and cooperation on lithium ore development is booming. Tangible progress has been made in nuclear power cooperation. Not long ago, relevant departments of the two countries established the China-Argentina Center for Earth Scientific Cooperation, which will help expand bilateral cooperation in geological survey, sustainable use of natural resources, and capacity building, serving the development of the two economies and helping handle climate change. China is ready to work with Argentina to strengthen communication and coordination, give full play to respective strength, further enrich, upgrade and innovate energy cooperation, and realize high-quality, green, coordinated, and sustainable development.
On 5G cooperation, Ambassador Zou pointed out that China ranks top of the world in core patents and was the first to realize the commercialization of 5G. A large number of Chinese businesses represented by Huawei have gone global. With advanced technologies and equipment and effective services, they have won the trust of local telecommunication operators and helped realized IT application, digitalization, and smart transformation of relevant countries. Since its presence in Argentina in 2001, Huawei has invested in Argentina for over 20 years. It has participated in the whole process of telecommunications network building and technological upgrading, helping local operators to fast employ the telecommunications network to cover more remote areas and improve the quality of service of local telecommunication networks. It has provided service for over 40 million people and become a major cooperation partner for main operators of Argentina. At the same time, Huawei has also provided solutions and services for local businesses and campuses in terms of network connection and digitalization. Through its cooperation with universities and colleges, it has helped cultivate local IT talents and supported the digital transformation of Argentina. During his visit to China, President Fernández took a special trip to Huawei and spoke highly of the success that Huawei has achieved in telecommunications and new energy cars, which is a great encouragement for China-Argentina cooperation. 5G will stimulate more demand and services in such areas as health, long-distance education, industrial internet, media and entertainment, the internet of things and E-commerce. China is ready to work with Argentina to create new growth points in bilateral cooperation on emerging areas such as 5G, expand new areas and space of the digital economy, and promote high-quality development of bilateral cooperation to the benefit of people of the two countries.
On infrastructure cooperation, Ambassador Zou said that Argentina has large demand and huge market in infrastructure development in transportation, energy, and telecommunication. China, on its part, has advantages in technology, equipment, and capital. The two sides have successfully cooperated in a large number of signature projects that are of great significance and are cost-effective such as the Belgrano railway upgrading project and the Jujuy PV station. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, businesses of the two sides have overcome various difficulties and participated in such projects as the construction of railways, highways, sub-ways, ports and power stations, which have created jobs, injected confidence and impetus for economic recovery in Argentina and laid a solid foundation in expanding bilateral trade and investment cooperation. The China-Argentina strategic dialogue on economic cooperation and coordination laid out framework plans for China’s infrastructure investment in Argentina, discussed the potential for expanding localization in infrastructure development projects, and identified key areas for investment cooperation, which will go a long way in expanding exports of Argentina, promoting its sustainable opening up, developing productivity and creating more jobs. China is ready to work with Argentina and other Latin America countries to facilitate the alignment of the BRI with local integration plans, strengthen communication and coordination, promote connectivity of Latin America in railway, aviation, maritime routes and green energy infrastructure and inject new driving force for practical cooperation between China and Argentina and between China and Latin America.
