On October 17, 2008, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Li Jinzhang met in the Foreign Ministry with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon, who is here for the third Sino-U.S. consultation meeting on Latin American affairs.

Li said currently China-Latin America friendly cooperative relations have reached an unprecedented level and the development of the ties conform to the interests and needs of both sides. To develop China-Latin America relations is not only in the interest of China’s development, but is also conducive to promoting stability and development of Latin America.

Shannon said China’s expanding influence in Latin America is attributed to an increase of the country’s own strength and the growth of its vigor in foreign trade. The U.S. side is ready to maintain dialogue and communication with China on Latin American affairs to expand consensus and discuss cooperation.

On October 16, Director-General of the Department of Latin American Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China Yang Wanming and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon held the third consultation meeting on Latin American affairs between the two countries.