China and Latin America's influence will deepen if they can work asa bloc, visiting Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos saidWednesday. Speaking at a press conference after a meeting with ChinesePresident Hu Jintao, Santos said that President Hu expressed theintention of strengthening relations with Colombia, particularly ina newly formed Pacific alliance. "We have identified as a country that is located in a strategicgeographic place," he said. "This visit will give us a point ofchange in our relationship with China." Ahead of his visit to China, Santos said that he hopes Colombia canexpand cooperation with China in all fields and become an"important ally" of China in Latin America. "We had meetings with most important Chinese companies inagricultural development and the oil and energy sectors. We alsohad a meeting on specific investment in terms of a pipeline thatwill go from Venezuela to the Pacific, across the whole country,"Santos said. He added that railway investment projects are also beingconsidered. Santos described his visit to China as very successful so far, andthe agreements they have signed already represent big achievements,including one between Chinese petrochemical firm Sinochem and theChina Development Bank and Colombia's oil giant Ecopetrol to lookinto helping build the pipeline, AFP reported. "We also signed an agreement of cooperation in agriculture," Santossaid, "The intention of starting a process to negotiate a FreeTrade Agreement with China is very important." He hinted that coordination to grant access to the Chinese marketfor products such as meat has also begun. At the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, Santos startedhis five-day state visit to China Tuesday as part of a larger trademission seeking to expand Colombian trade and political ties withAsian nations. Accompanied by ministers of agriculture and mines and energy,Santos sought to develop a trade agreement and boost Chineseinvestment, said Colombian media. "In Colombia we want to attract Chinese investment and open marketshere in China," Santos said in a statement before his visit. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said Tuesday that thetwo sides will sign cooperation documents on economic and technicalcooperation, business and trade, and culture. After establishing diplomatic relations 32 years ago, theChina-Colombia relationship has developed smoothly. Recent yearshave seen close high-level exchanges between the two countries.China has now become the second biggest trade partner for Colombia. Santos will attend the China-Colombia Investment Forum, and thepresident will also fly to Shanghai after wrapping up his trip inBeijing. Agencies contributed to this story. The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as Innercity Bus Manufacturer , China Kinetic Special Vehicles, and more. For more , please visit Fruit And Vegetable Processing Equipment today!
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