On the afternoon of November 16, 2004, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks and co-hosted a press conference with Argentine President Kirchner in Buenos Aires. This is the second important meeting between the two heads of state within half a year. The two sides decided to establish and develop China-Argentina strategic partnership and enhance bilateral all-round cooperation of friendship on this new basis.

With blue sky, white clouds and beautiful sunshine, it is early summer in Buenos Aires at the end of the year. The national flags of the two countries were flying at the square in front of the Presidential Palace which was built in the 16th century. President Kirchner held a grand welcoming ceremony for President Hu upon his visit. Hu reviewed the guards of honor and the military band played the national anthems of both countries.

During the talks, President Kirchner highly appraised the development of bilateral relations since Argentina and China established diplomatic ties. He believed that with the continuous deepening of bilateral friendship and mutual trust, cooperation in politics, economy, trade, science, technology and culture between the two countries has been very productive. He thanked China for its support and assistance for Argentina in international affairs, especially during the difficult period of time, reiterating that Argentina will support China's stance on the Taiwan issue without reservation and stressing that his country would like to continuously deepen bilateral reciprocal cooperation in various fields.

Hu said during President Kirchner's successful visit to China in June, the two countries signed a number of agreements on the cooperation in civil aviation, health, culture, investment and agriculture, which further boosted the development of bilateral ties. He also expressed his delight to meet President Kirchner once again five months later. Meeting each other twice within a year shows that both sides highly prioritize relations with one another. China appreciates Argentina's adherence to the one-China policy.

Hu said in order to further promote China-Argentina relations, I suggest we focus our efforts on the following four areas. First, to enhance mutual trust and expand political consensus. The governments, legislative bodies and political parties of the two countries need to enhance exchanges. Meanwhile existing political consultation mechanism should be improved. Second, to enhance economic and trade cooperation and enrich exchanges in science and technology. We need to further tap development potential and expand economic and trade cooperation. We encourage and support relevant departments and businesses in China to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation with Argentina in farming, animal husbandry, industry, communications, energy, mining and infrastructure construction. Third, enhance exchanges of personnel and promote the cultivation of talents. We need to take full advantage of the tourist resources of both countries to strengthen personnel exchanges and tourist cooperation. We support closer exchanges between all walks of life in the two societies as well as academic exchanges between universities and research institutions. Fourth, to intensify mutual coordination and multilateral cooperation. China congratulates Argentina on its election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2005-2006. We would like to expand consultation and coordination with Argentina and jointly safeguard the UN's authority and role in maintaining world peace and promoting common development so as to boost the democratization of international relations. Kirchner fully agreed with Hu's suggestions.

Following the talks, the two heads of state attended the signing ceremony of a number of bilateral cooperation documents, including Framework Agreement between China and Argentina on the Cooperation of Peaceful Utilization of Outer Space Technology, Memorandum of Understanding on the Implementation Plan of Chinese Tourist Groups to Argentina, Memorandum of Understanding on the Cooperation in the Railway Project as well as the Memorandum of Understanding on the Enhancement of Exchanges and Cooperation in the Filed of Education.

Kirchner said at the joint press conference that Argentina regards China as a strategic partner and would like to work with China to constantly enhance cooperation in bilateral and international affairs. Hu summed up the broad consensus reached by the two heads of state, which mainly includes to establish and develop China-Argentina strategic partnership, to grant firm support for each other on issues concerning the fundamental interests such as national sovereignty and territorial integrity, to encourage and support relevant departments and businesses to actively expand cooperation areas and channels, to expand cooperation in farming, animal husbandry, industry, communications, energy, mining and infrastructure construction, and to enhance consultation and cooperation in international and regional organizations such as the United Nations and World Trade Organization. He finally stressed that the Chinese government and people cherish China-Argentina friendship and would like to promote the sound and stable development of bilateral strategic partnership together with the Argentine government and people.

Later that evening, Hu and his wife Liu Yongqing attended the welcoming banquet hosted by Kirchner and his wife. More than 200 people including Wang Gang and other Chinese officials accompanying President Hu as well as Argentine Vice-President and Speaker of the Senate Daniel Scioli and other representatives from the Argentine government, parliament and business community attended the banquet.