BUENOS AIRES: Relations between Argentina and China are poised to reach unprecedented "new horizons," visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Saturday, addressing lawmakers in Buenos Aires during his summit visit here.
Xi is on a Latin American charm offensive to secure bilateral trade deals - particularly coveted raw materials - from governments throughout the region.
China is Argentina's third-largest trading partner behind the South American Mercosur bloc and the European Union, and one of its main destinations for food exports.
"Our two countries find themselves at a historic crossroads," said Xi, as he met with Vice President Amado Boudou and the heads of both chambers of Argentina's legislature.
"We have just marked 10 years in the strategic association between Argentina and China and the time has come to open new horizons," he told lawmakers through a translator.
On Friday, the first day of his three-day visit, the Chinese leader called their relationship one of "integral strategic importance" for both sides.
Xi and President Cristina Kirchner signed more than 20 trade deals, with additional ones expected to be announced on Saturday.
Among Friday's agreements was a bilateral "strategic partnership," similar to others signed with emerging nations such as Brazil.
"I want to emphasize that we have signed an agreement to raise the level of our relations in order to turn them into a strategic partnership, along with investments in oil, mining, the nuclear field, agriculture and plant diseases," Xi said at the Casa Rosada presidential complex.
The two countries on Friday also announced Chinese plans for huge investment in hydroelectric power, shipbuilding, railways and a deal to help Argentina build its fourth nuclear plant.
China will contribute US$4.4 billion toward the construction of two hydroelectric dams in Argentina's southern Santa Cruz province and an additional US$2.1 billion to remodel strategic rail transportation for carrying goods, especially food.
It will also contribute US$423 million for the construction of 11 ships.
"In today's world, the best opportunities occur for emerging nations, as demonstrated in the recent BRICS summit in Brasilia," Kirchner said.
Xi also was in Brazil this week for a summit of the BRICS group of emerging powers - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - and South American presidents.
The gathering saw the countries agree to launch a New Development Bank to fund infrastructure projects in developing nations and an emergency reserve, drawing praise from Latin American leaders who see them as alternatives to Western-dominated financial institutions.
Following the BRICS summit, Xi signed deals with Brazil, met with regional leaders and proposed a US$20 billion infrastructure fund that highlights Beijing's growing interests in the region.
The visit is Xi's second to Latin America since taking office last year, when he toured Mexico, Costa Rica, as well as Trinidad and Tobago.
Amid its push to expand business in South America, China has invested some US$23 billion in Argentine hydrocarbons, mining, finance and agricultural exports.
Analysts said the two nations were likely to ink major deals in the railroad and energy sectors.