MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Kirchner expresses willingness to cooperate with China.

President Nestor Kirchner said at the start of his official visit to China that Argentina and the Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosur) were willing to promote economic and trade cooperation for mutual benefit.

Official meetings between Kirchner and Chinese officials began on Monday.

Accompanying the Argentine president during the state visit, which runs through July 2, are Economy Minister Roberto Lavagna; Foreign Minister Rafael Bielsa; and Federal Planning, Public Investment and Services Minister Julio De Vido.

Also in China are Tourism Minister Carlos Meyer; International Trade Minister Martin Redrado; and Agriculture, Ranching, Fishing and Food Minister Miguel Campos.

Cooperation among Argentina, China and Mercosur must take place, according to Kirchner, without "intermediaries." The vice premier of China, Hui Liang Yu, echoed Kirchner's sentiments during the "Argentina-China: Partners in Growth" seminar, which was attended by more than 200 business leaders from both countries.

Hui said cooperation between the two complementary economies has "enormous potential with promising horizons." China's gross domestic product and exports are forecast to exceed $4 trillion and $1 trillion, respectively, by 2020.