A reception was held in Beijing on Wednesday in honor of the
friendship between China and Latin America.
About 50 diplomats from Latin American and Caribbean countries
attended the reception hosted by the Chinese People's Association
for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the China-Latin
America Friendship Association.
Cheng Siwei, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China's
National People's Congress and head of the China-Latin America
Friendship Association, also attended the reception.
CPAFFC Vice President Li Xiaolin told the reception that in 2005
the two friendship associations have promoted mutual understanding
and friendship between the Chinese and the Latin American
peoples.
Li recalled the establishment of a federation of Latin America
and the Caribbean for friendship with China in November 2005,
saying the federation has lifted China-Latin America friendly ties
to a new height.
Li said the CPAFFC received 362 guests in 22 delegations from
Latin America and the Caribbean last year, a record over previous
years.
(Xinhua News Agency March 2, 2006)
