A reception was held in Beijing Tuesday to celebrate the progress of China's relationship with Latin America in 2004.  

Eighty diplomats from 12 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.

Li Xiaolin, the CPAFFC vice president, said the Sino-Latin American relationship entered a new phase in 2004, with President Hu Jintao visiting Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Cuba, and the heads of states of Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela visiting China.

There have been 57 friendship arrangements made between cities in China and Latin American countries so far.

Li said the CPAFFC will work together with the China-Latin America Friendship Association to further push forward bilateral relationship.

(CRI.com February 23, 2005)