On November 2, the Ninth Annual Meeting of the China-Chile Business Council (CCBC) was held at Four Seasons Hotel, Beijing. Guo Wenqing, president of China Minmetals, chairman of MCC, vice-chairman of China Council for International Investment Promotion (CCIIP), and Chinese-side chairman of CCBC, was invited to preside over the meeting and deliver the opening and closing addresses.

As one of the major events during the Week of Chile 2018, this annual meeting was held to promote bilateral trade and investment cooperation between China and Chile and to strengthen dialogues and exchanges between the two governments, as well as between enterprises of the two countries. At the meeting, both sides explored the prospects of bilateral free trade in the current context of trade frictions between major economies, further cooperation between Chinese and Chilean enterprises in advancing the Belt and Road initiative, and changes brought about by prioritizing the development of high-tech areas. Some business opportunities related to investment in Chile’s infrastructure, agriculture and other areas were also announced at the meeting. Mr. Guo expressed gratitude to the government departments of both countries including CCIIP, the Chinese Embassy in Chile, and the Chilean Embassy in China for their longstanding, vigorous support to CCBC. He also pointed out that, CCBC, which was established as proactively proposed and propelled by both governments, has always been committed to creating a well-functioning communication mechanism for enterprises of both sides and providing policy and information services. Therefore, it has played a key role as a platform for cooperation and exchanges, and has been highly valued and recognized by both governments. Guo stressed that, the rapid growth of trade and investment between the two countries has contributed significantly to the deepening of China-Chile all-round strategic partnership and served as a crucial support for the establishment of a China-Latin America community with shared future. China Minmetals is willing to continue, based on the philosophy of achieving a mutually beneficial and win-win result, working with enterprises from both countries to lift bilateral cooperation to a higher level and give new impetus to the economic and trade development of the two countries, thus to contribute more to the sustained economic development of the two countries, he said.

Before the meeting, Mr. Guo had held an in-depth talk with Chilean-side chairman of CCBC Mr. Francisco Silva, former President of Chile Mr. Eduardo Frei, and Chilean government representatives on such topics as how to further strengthen the cooperation between the governments and between the enterprises of the two countries. Mr. Guo gave a general introduction about China Minmetals, and both sides reviewed the development of CCBC, looked ahead to the first China International Import Expo to be held in Shanghai, and shared views on creating beautiful countryside and eco-friendly towns in China, building farm villages in Chile, and other proposals.

Other important officials attending the meeting include Eduardo Frei, former president of Chile and ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Chile to the Asia-Pacific region, Liu Zuozhang, vice-chairman of CCIIP, Francisco Silva, Chilean-side chairman of CCBC and chairman of Banco Security, and Jiao Jian, vice president and member of Party Leadership Group of China Minmetals. Representatives from enterprises, government sectors, and financial investment institutions of the two countries also attended the meeting and delivered keynote speeches, including Chilean Ambassador to China Luis Schmidt, Chilean foreign minister Roberto Ampuero, Chilean minister of agriculture Antonio Walker, and Chilean minister of public works Juan Andrés. Also present at the meeting were responsible persons of relevant departments of China Minmetals’ headquarters and heads of enterprises directly under China Minmetals.