国内英语新闻:Hu's visit significant to relations with Latin America: diplomat

BEIJING, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao's upcoming visit to Brazil, Venezuela and Chile will be significant to furthering comprehensive development of China-Latin America relations, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Wednesday.

Vice Foreign Minister Li Jinzhang told a press briefing that Hu will pay a state visit to Brazil and attend the second summit of the BRIC countries - Brazil, Russia, India and China - in Brasilia from April 14 to 17, make a state visit to Venezuela from April 17 to 18 and a working visit to Chile on April 18.

"China and Latin American countries, all as developing countries, share extensive common interests. China has always attached great importance to its relations with these countries," Li said.

China-Latin America relations have maintained a good momentum of comprehensive and sustained growth with increased political mutual trust, expansion of cooperation and more frequent cultural exchanges, he said.

Hu's visit will be made at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Venezuelan President Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias and Chilean President Sebastian Pinera.

Hu will hold talks with President Lula and meet other leaders on furthering China-Brazil ties and boosting cooperation on major global issues, Li said

The two countries will ink a joint action plan from 2010 to 2014 and agreements in the fields of culture, energy, finance, science and technology as well as product quality inspection, he said. China is Brazil's largest trading partner and biggest export market.

During his first state visit to Venezuela, Hu will hold talks with President Chavez, when cooperation documents on energy, finance, culture, electricity and poverty alleviation are expected to be signed, Li said.

Venezuela is China's fifth largest trading partner in Latin America with a trade volume of 7.15 billion US dollars in 2009.

Hu will hold talks with President Pinera and meet with other Chilean leaders. China now is Chile's largest trading partner, and Chile is China's second largest in the Latin America. Their trade volume reached a record high of 17.7 billion US dollars in 2009.

Li said, China expects to further friendly relations and deepen cooperation of mutual benefit with the three nations and promote comprehensive development of its relations with Latin America through Hu's visit.

"I believed that China-Latin America relations would achieve further development with our joint efforts," he said.