Ramiro Ordoqui (Ordoqui), former undersecretary for economic negotiations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Argentina, recently shared his views with Global Times (GT) reporter Li Aixin and Tang Ya on Argentine ties with China, people-to-people exchange to economy and trade, and role of Belt and Road Initiative in Latin America. He said Argentinians' view of China and Chinese people is very positive and goes beyond the great geographical distance and cultural exchange is fundamental to dreaming of a future of even greater cooperation.

GT: Have you personally participated in the Spring Festival Gala in Buenos Aires? What are your thoughts on the cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and Argentina?

Ordoqui: Yes, I have had enormous opportunities to share with the Chinese community their celebration in the city of Buenos Aires. But let me tell you that in my city, the city of La Plata, 50 kilometers away from Buenos Aires, the Chinese New Year is also celebrated, and last year around 300,000 people participated.

The exchange between our countries is enormous and has different aspects: culture, work and also academic research. I would put special attention and effort into the latter. Just as the New Year celebration is a phenomenon that has exceeded official organizations through its own strength to reach dozens of Argentine cities throughout the country, the promotion of research on Argentina and China remains confined exclusively to the interests of a few universities. This is a pity. Given the potential and speed with which the other areas of exchange are advancing, with few adjustments we should be able to expand academic interest beyond scholars and make it the interest of our people.

I believe that cultural exchange is fundamental to dreaming of a future of even greater cooperation.

GT: According to your knowledge, how do Argentinians view China?

Ordoqui: People agree that one of the most captivating sensations that one has when travelling to China regularly is that of constant transformation, especially in terms of public infrastructure.

The Argentinians' view of China and its people is very positive and goes beyond the great geographical distance, and is probably the result of immigration. The curiosity and interest in distant places like China grow day by day. Yet there is still a long journey ahead for tourism between our two countries to flourish and bridging this geographical distance must be one of the main challenges of the public and private sector for the coming years.

Ramiro Ordoqui   Photo: Courtesy of Ordoqui

GT: During your time in government, what efforts were undertaken to strengthen trade cooperation between the two countries? What do you think are the highlights of cooperation today? 

Ordoqui: I have had the opportunity to visit China on three occasions, two as head of delegation on official visits and the last time to hold a seminar on cooperation.

During my work in government we focused on three major issues:

Updating the instruments of economic cooperation, with Argentina being the first major economy in Latin America to sign both memorandum of understanding and a cooperation plan with China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Opening the necessary markets to improve the quality of trade between our countries.

Strengthening the vision of the Argentine private sector on business opportunities in China with added value.

I believe that Argentina's need for investments for development is a great opportunity for Chinese companies around the world that focus on sectors such as construction, energy and production.

GT: Earlier this year, you wrote an article for Clarín, advising your country to "discard prejudices against China and adjust diplomatic policies toward China." What do you foresee for the development of China-Argentina relations in 2025? 

Ordoqui: Thank you for mentioning my note. In it I have tried to contribute, from my experience, to the resolution of a series of specific issues.

President Milei himself has recently taken the step of changing his previous opinion about China and that is good news for everyone.

As for the possibility of business, Argentina must return in every sense to the path of credibility and not only with China. We need to reorient our economic tools toward development and work. The current government revolves exclusively around the financial sector. This also means that, under these rules, investments generally take longer to recognize a country's financial market as sustainable, and Argentina does not have much time to wait.  

GT: Which China-led initiatives or projects in South America have particularly captured your attention and interest? How do you evaluate China-Latin America cooperation?

Ordoqui: Cooperation between China and Latin America has enormous potential and it is currently in the full development phase. The recently inaugurated port in Peru, the Chancay Port, is good proof of the importance of connecting our regions alternatively, through the Pacific Ocean.

My wish is that we manage to move forward in the future with a genuine investment agenda after completing the pending financing projects.

For this, Argentina must resume the payment agenda, achieve the necessary certification and reestablish the business plans for the next few years.

I am confident that the strength of our political and cultural exchanges and the common goal of mutual benefit will bring us back to the best place of mutual development very soon.

GT: How do you assess the role of the BRI in global economic development, particularly in Latin America?

Ordoqui: Argentina is the first major economy in Latin America to sign both a memorandum of understanding and a cooperation plan with China under the BRI, whose text I had the honor of being responsible for negotiating on the Argentine side.

I believe that, as has been demonstrated in Argentina over the course of several governments and for a long time, the BRI is a very good opportunity to participate in development initiatives that are so necessary in countries of the Global South.

Everything that has to do with promoting actions that result in a real benefit for our people and allows us to tackle problems such as poverty or lack of infrastructure will always be highlighted. We hope for new and good results from this initiative in the region and especially in my country.

GT: As you mentioned, recently at Davos, Argentine President Javier Milei said he wanted to deepen ties with China, which he called a great trade partner. What's your take on that?

Ordoqui: Everyone knows that China is Argentina's second largest trading partner. The issue is to have a vision of what to do with this and all the other issues. It is urgently necessary to have a roadmap that puts our bilateral dialogue back on the right track. 

My country needs to resume an agenda that puts Argentina itself at the center of decision-making. On the path to making our own decisions that favor our people, we will surely find partners like China to achieve mutually beneficial objectives.

I know that this change of perspective is difficult and that the limits of globalization and nationalism are being discussed around the world, but my words go further. Argentina, like any sovereign country, has the possibility of facing its future under its own decisions, enhancing its strengths and knowing that negotiation and exchange are inevitable conditions of international relations. It is necessary to clarify this path and sooner rather than later I trust that in my country we will do it again.