Argentine foreign minister meets with Chinese ambassador, dismisses Taiwan recognition claims

By bne IntelliNews January 16, 2024

Argentina's Foreign Minister Diana Mondino and Chinese Ambassador to Buenos Aires Wang Wei lauded the robust bilateral ties between their nations and underscored a commitment to respecting China's territorial integrity in a joint statement following their meeting on January 12. Dismissing recent media reports hinting at a possible recognition of Taiwan as an independent state, the Foreign Ministry emphasised the reaffirmation of friendly bonds and adherence to the One China principle.

“There is no doubt about the importance of the commercial exchange between both countries, being China the second Argentine commercial partner, the second destination of our exports, and the first origin of imports in the country,” Mondino said in a statement from her office issued after the gathering.

Addressing Argentina's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, Mondino spoke of the value of financial cooperation mechanisms, asserting that projects funded must align with Argentina's national interests. The Foreign Ministry detailed discussions on the initiative, underscoring its potential benefits for Argentina.

Both Mondino and Wang expressed their mutual agreement on the importance of fortifying the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established a decade ago. Additionally, they stressed the urgent need to reactivate various existing cooperation mechanisms, demonstrating a commitment to sustaining and expanding the multifaceted relationship.

The officials engaged in a comprehensive dialogue, touching upon Argentina's involvement in the United Nations Security Council reform process and coordinating their positions in multilateral forums where common interests are shared. The meeting – whose agenda did not reportedly include President Milei’s recent refusal to join the BRICS+ group or the status of the $6.5bn swap line extension negotiated by the previous Peronist administration – highlighted the ongoing diplomatic collaboration between Argentina and China, reinforcing their commitment to navigating global challenges through joint efforts.

Related Articles

Chinese contractors thrive in Africa, despite Beijing’s $50bn lending pullback, say Nigerian researchers

New research suggests Chinese contractors are thriving in Africa’s infrastructure sector despite a steep decline in state-backed financing from Beijing since 2019. For most of the past 25 years, ... more

Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 raises production to record high

Russia’s heavily-sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 facility has increased production to record levels, Bloomberg reported on October 1. The average daily output for September, climbed to 17.9mn cubic ... more

Chinese firms to build Africa’s first insulin production plant in Nigeria amid surging diabetes rates

Chinese companies plan to establish Africa’s first local insulin production facility in Nigeria in a bid to end the country’s reliance on imports and position it as a regional centre for ... more

Dismiss