A cargo ship carrying 49,500 tons of sorghum imported from Argentina is unloaded at a wharf in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, on July 25, 2022. Photo: VCG

Argentina officially joined the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in February, a step analysts believe will significantly boost bilateral ties and promote cooperation in various fields between the two countries.

As a major country in Latin America, Argentina's joining of the BRI is of landmark significance and marks close cooperation between China and the region.

Analysts have pointed out that the close economic cooperation between the two countries was forged long before Argentina's joining of the BRI.

According to China Customs statistics data, China was Argentina's second largest trading partner in 2020 while Argentina was China's fifth largest trading partner in Latin America. Bilateral trade volume in the first half of 2021 stood at about $6.94 billion, up 23.2 percent year-on-year, of which China exported about $4.64 billion and imported about $2.30 billion worth of goods. China mainly imported soybeans, crude oil, leather, and other commodities from Argentina.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. In addition to the economic field, the two countries are also witnessing frequent exchanges in other fields. 

In February, Argentine President Alberto Fernandez came to Beijing to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. He also attended the BRICS' High-level Dialogue on Global Development held in Beijing virtually in June.

Argentina is now actively seeking BRICS membership. Argentine Ambassador to China Sabino Vaca Narvaja, told the Global Times that Argentina hopes to become a BRICS member as the BRICS cooperation mechanism is of profound significance to the building of a more balanced global order where cooperation will be unconditional and mutually beneficial. 

"If Argentina joins BRICS, this move would also be very conducive to the further development of China-Latin America relations," he said.