Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner began a five-day visit to China on Sunday in an effort to strengthen the China-Argentine strategic partnership. As part of her first presidential visit to China since, she is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao, who according to foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang "attaches great importance to President Cristina's visit."

In a speech at the Beijing University of International Business and Economics President Fernández de Kirchner said, "It is important to realize we are immersed on a new international scenario…Countries should grow at a harmonious pace," she also stressed that Argentina will seek to be part of the next G20 summit to "combat fiscal parasites”.

In addition to meeting with the President, the remainder of her visit will consist of bilateral talks with Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and the mayor of Shanghai, Hang Zheng, along with Chinese entrepreneurs and a visit to the Shanghai 2010 Expo.