China calls for comprehensive exchanges with Chile

BEIJING – China’s Prime Minister Li Keqiang has said China is willing to accelerate development strategy alignment and step up comprehensive exchanges with Chile to boost bilateral ties.

Li made the remarks during a Sunday’s meeting with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, who is in Beijing to attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

With China and Chile in talks of an upgraded free trade agreement, they are sending an upbeat signal of endorsement for free trade and globalization, opposition to protectionism, and promotion of regional and world prosperity, Li said.

Bachelet said Chile supports free trade and is ready to complete the negotiation with China on an upgraded free trade agreement as soon as possible, the state-run Xinhua reported.

Chile welcomes more Chinese investment in areas such as new energy, telecommunications, transportation, agriculture, technology innovation and finance, she added.