On the evening of October 18, 2003, President Hu Jintao met with Chilean President Ricardo Lagos Escobar, who is attending the 11th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) informal leadership meeting.

Hu appreciated Lagos' long-term care and efforts to promote friendly cooperation between China and Chile. Hu noted that Chile was the first South American country to establish full diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China 33 years ago and since then, the two countries have witnessed the constant deepening of their mutual political trust, ever wider economic and trade cooperation and increased exchanges in the fields of science and technology, culture and education. The two countries are also maintaining excellent cooperation at the United Nations, APEC and other international and regional organizations. China-Chile relationship is at its historic best.

Hu said that against the backdrop of complicated and profound changes in the international situation and developing countries facing the serious challenge of economic globalization, the further strengthening of Sino-Chilean friendship and cooperation not only conforms to the fundamental interests of the peoples of the two countries, it is also conducive to promoting peace, stability and development in the Asia-Pacific region and across the world at large. TheChinese government attaches great importance to developing friendly relations with Chile, and is willing to work together with Chile to advance the two countries' all-round, long-lasting and stable relations based on equality and mutual benefit to a new level.

Lagos, on his part, said that Chile and China have maintained good bilateral relations. The two share wide consensus on many major international issues. With China's rapid development, China is having ever greater influence and playing greater role in international affairs, especially in the global trading system, and Chile will further strengthen its friendly cooperation with China in politics, economy and trade, science and technology, culture and other areas. He said Chile will maintain its One China policy and strengthen coordination with China on various multilateral occasions so as to advance the establishment of a just and reasonable international political and economic order.

The two leaders agreed that APEC, as an important forum for economic cooperation in the region, should play a positive role in pushing forward the world's multilateral trading system, and seek a balanced reflection of the concerns of the developing countries. Finally, Hu mentioned that Chile will be hosting next year's APEC Informal Leadership meeting. China will support Chile's efforts in making the APEC events a success.