On the evening of October 18, 2023, President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People with Argentine President Alberto Fernandez who is in China to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Xi Jinping pointed out that over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Argentina, the two sides have always respected each other, treated each other as equals, and achieved mutual benefit and win-win results. In recent years, under the joint guidance of the two presidents, China-Argentina relations have stepped up to new levels. Both China and Argentina are important developing countries, shouldering the historical mission of promoting national development and revitalization, meeting people's aspirations for a better life, and upholding international fairness and justice. China is ready to work with Argentina to enhance the synergy of strategies, promote sustained and stable development of bilateral relations, and set a fine example of solidarity and cooperation between Global South countries. China supports Argentina's efforts in maintaining economic and financial stability, and is ready to share development opportunities and promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with Argentina, and deepen practical bilateral cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure and other areas. China would like to import more high-quality Argentine products and encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest in Argentina.

Xi Jinping congratulated Argentina on joining the BRICS cooperation mechanism upon invitation, noting that China and Argentina need to strengthen strategic coordination within the frameworks of the United Nations, the Group of 20 and the BRICS, promote the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and advance the building of a global community with a shared future for mankind. China? always supports the integration process in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) , and is ready to work with Argentina and other LAC countries to promote the development of China-CELAC Forum and China-LAC relations.

Fernandez said that a friend in need is a friend indeed. Over the past few years, when the country was faced with difficulties, be it COVID-19 pandemic, severe droughts and natural disasters, or financial and economic woes, China always extended a precious helping hand to the Argentine people. Argentina has been deeply touched by and will never forget this. Fernandez called China a true friend of Argentina, and noted that President Xi Jinping's important initiatives such as jointly building the Belt and Road and building a global community with a shared future for mankind have shown the way forward for the world, created important opportunities for developing countries, and played an irreplaceable role in promoting world peace, fairness, and sustainable development. Argentina fully agrees with and actively supports these initiatives. Argentina is firmly committed to the one-China principle and hopes to deepen cooperation with China in economy, trade, infrastructure and other areas, and promote further development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Argentina and China. Argentina will also actively promote the growth of LAC-China relations, and work with China to uphold multilateralism and strengthen communication and collaboration within the frameworks of the G20 and BRICS cooperation mechanism.

Cai Qi and Wang Yi attended the meeting.?