President of Argentina to participate in the Belt and Road Forum

Argentina's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the country's President Alberto Fernandez will visit China in October to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Fernandez's presence at the forum, which will be held in Beijing on 17-18 October, was confirmed by Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero during a meeting with China's new ambassador to Buenos Aires, Wang Wei.

Cafiero conveyed to the diplomat that President Fernandez has received an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in the People's Republic of China. This global event has garnered confirmation from representatives of over 110 countries.

During their discussion, the Argentine foreign minister emphasized the significance of advancing a more equitable and varied bilateral trade relationship. He also underscored the urgency of expediting access for Argentine products to the Chinese market.

Cafiero said Argentina considers it very important to cooperate with China in financing infrastructure projects that promote greater territorial integration both at the regional economic level and with the rest of the world's markets, especially Asia.

In this regard, Cafiero said that Argentina's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative stimulates trade and investment and promotes national development.

In 2022, China became the second largest trading partner of the South American country with a trade volume of US$25.4 billion. The PRC is also Argentina's second largest export destination and a major source of imports.

The objective of China's Belt and Road Initiative is to foster collaboration and enhance connectivity among nations, encompassing both the Silk Road Economic Belt, which is land-based, and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which focuses on oceanic routes.

It aims to create a platform to boost trade, investment, market integration and economic cooperation between the regions, as reported by teleSUR, a partner of TV BRICS.