Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is about to start his first official visit to Latin America.
Chinese officials say the visit will greatly improve ties and diversify trade between China and the countries in the region.
XYee has more.
Premier Li's Visit to Give Momentum to Sino-S. American Ties
Premier Li Keqiang will travel to Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Chile during a nearly two week-long trip starting from May 17.
Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao says the visit will inject new momentum into China's ties with the region.
"The Premier's visit will be of great significance to improving mutual trust, boosting all-round cooperation and partnership and enhancing cultural exchange."
The visit comes at a time when speculations rise over China's effort to boost its influence in a region long dominated by the United States.
In response, the Vice Minister says China is willing to see the US build up ties with countries in the region based on mutual respect.
Assistant Commerce Minister Tong Daochi expects the Premier's visit to further promote trade cooperation.
"All of the four countries are China's key trade partners. During Premier's visit, we will mainly discuss important issues like industrial cooperation, infrastructure, free trade zones, economic and technical cooperation, training and financial support."
Tong adds that China is willing to work with Latin American countries to upgrade and diversify economic cooperation, and import more value-added products from the continent instead of just raw materials.
"Latin American countries abound in natural resources and produce various agricultural products, both of which China lacks. We also want to import more value-added products from the continent. We hope that Latin American countries, particularly these four, can develop the Chinese market more, and export more products which suit Chinese consumers."
Trade between China and Latin American countries exceeded 260 billion US dollars in 2014.
As the world's second largest economy, China has invested a total of more than 100 billion US dollars in the region by the end of last year, with oil, copper and soybeans its major imports from there.
Meanwhile, Peru and Chile also both have free trade deals with China.
During the first China-CELAC ministerial forum in January, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged $250 billion in investment in Latin America over the next 10 years.
Tong Daochi says China expects that through further deepening cooperation, China and Latin America will join hands to promote global prosperity and recovery.
For CRI, I'm XYee.
