Premier Li Keqiang met with Chilean President Sebastian Pinera at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on April 24.

The Premier said Chile is the first South American country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, and next year will mark the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations. President Xi Jinping held a fruitful talk with the president, which will add new drive to the further development of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, Premier Li said.

China-Chile trade saw growth against sluggish global trade last year, showing great cooperation potential, he said.

Premier Li added that he hopes the two sides will strengthen the links of their development strategies, build an upgraded China-Chile free trade area, and expand pragmatic cooperation in transport infrastructure, electricity, agriculture, the mining industry and innovation through more joint work in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Premier Li said China is glad to import more high-quality Chile-made products, take advantage of digital platforms, such as e-commerce, advance cooperation with other Latin American countries through the China-Chile Free Trade Area, and push forward relations and cooperation between China and Latin America.

Pinera said bilateral relations and cooperation have gained fruitful results since the two countries established diplomatic relations. The People’s Republic of China has realized remarkable achievements since it was founded 70 years ago, he said.

The Belt and Road Initiative refreshes the thousand-year-old Silk Road, and Chile is willing to actively participate in the building of the Belt and Road Initiative, said Pinera.

He added that Chile and China have completed the upgrade of the free trade agreement, and the Chilean side is happy to push bilateral cooperation in all fields, and enhance the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.