China contributes greatly to peace and balance in the world (interview)

China has greatly contributed to the balance and peace in the world and Uruguay hopes to strengthen bilateral ties with China, said Tuesday the vice president Danilo Astori.

In an interview with Xinhua before his visit to China, Mr. Astori said that China was an important factor in the international arena in the fields of politics, economy and culture.

"China and other economies such as India and Russia, have played an important role to balance the negative impacts of the crisis in developed countries and the West," he said.

He praised the Chinese government's foreign policies and its efforts to improve the lives of Chinese people.

The role of Beijing, is to balance the international policy and global dialogues to help resolve conflicts peacefully, "he said.

M. Astori, who will visit China from August 22 to 28, said the two countries had maintained good relations and cooperation in the fields of trade and economy since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1988.

He must meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders.

According to him, China is the second largest trading partner in Uruguay and the volume of exports from Uruguay to China reached 612 million U.S. dollars in 2009.

The Vice President will be accompanied by a large number of business leaders during his visit to China.

Mr. Astori revealed that gave its support to the idea that the Common Market of South America (MERCOSUR) signed trade agreements with China and India.

Besides Beijing, Mr. Astori visit Shanghai, where he will preside over the ceremony on August 25 the day of the national flag of Uruguay to the World Exposition Shanghai marking the 185th anniversary of independence.