Argentina-China relations allow progress in defence, space and nuclear matters
Sabino Vaca Narvaja, Argentina's ambassador to China, held a day of meetings with Chinese government representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence.
In doing so, Argentina and Xi Jinping's government deepened the common goal of strengthening ties and cooperation between countries, and discussed the main issues in defence, space and nuclear energy, in order to clarify all outstanding points before Alberto Fernández's visit to Beijing scheduled for February.
According to the Argentine Embassy, during the meeting, Vaca Narvaja and Vice Minister Zhang exchanged views on the state of cooperation between the two countries and outlined the next steps for future cooperation.
During the course of the meeting, Vaca Narvaja and Vice Minister Zhang discussed current defence projects and outlined the next steps for future cooperation. Ensuring that the projects "have transfer of technology and capabilities to (Argentinean) defence companies," the Argentinean ambassador stressed.
Among the current proposals, Argentina maintains its analysis of the proposals made by China on Norinco's VN-1 Wheeled Armoured Combat Vehicles (VCBR) and Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation's (CAIC) JF-17 aircraft.
Cooperation between the two countries also covers the field of nuclear technology, where the importance of building a nuclear power plant in Argentina, through the development of multi-purpose research reactors, to reduce the country's carbon dioxide emissions, was stressed.
In addition, it was agreed to increase China's potential to import Argentine material, "China expressed that they are willing to produce in our country and generate technology and capacity transfer," said the Argentine representation.
For its part, China demands a large quantity of medical radioisotopes, 85% of which are imported. This need for suppliers could also benefit Argentina by advancing long-term cooperation projects through production in China.
The Chinese government has decided to increase its research at the CLTC-CONAE Deep Space Station, located in the Argentinean city of Neuquén, which served as support during the mission to the Moon by the Chang'e 5 probe, with which China succeeded for the first time in taking samples of lunar soil and rocks and returning them to Earth.
"In this context, China expressed its interest in Argentine scientists having access to the samples (from Chang'e 5) with the aim of carrying out studies that could contribute to knowledge and a better understanding of the Moon, and to acquire experience and knowledge for future experiments," the Foreign Ministry statement said.
Zhang also expressed interest in Argentine scientists being able to participate in the analysis of the data provided by the upcoming missions to the Moon, as well as those to Mars and Jupiter, thus offering "postgraduate, master's and doctoral scholarships for studies in the space, nuclear and defence industry areas" for Argentine students.
At the meeting, both parties agreed to promote negotiations for the signing of the 2021-2025 Space Cooperation Plan, which envisages joint work in space science, deep space exploration, Earth observation, satellites, human resources training, among others. Cooperation in remote sensing and remote reception of satellite data was also discussed.
The Argentinean ambassador emphasised that the three topics discussed not only occupy a central and strategic place in the bilateral relationship, but also play a very important role "for our country as drivers of development in areas with very high added value and intensive in knowledge".
Latin America Coordinator: José Antonio Sierra