Buenos Aires, January 24 (RHC-MERCOPRESS) -- Argentina has "big trade" with China and is willing to strengthen the relations between the two countries, Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers Jorge Capitanich said on Thursday.

At a press conference, Capitanich said he had discussed with Chinese Ambassador to Argentina Yin Hengmin ways to strengthen bilateral ties.

"We have big trade with China," he said, adding that Argentina is looking forward to "promoting foreign direct investment from Chinese investors."

Since the establishment of the strategic partnership between China and Argentina in 2004, all-around development of bilateral relations have entered a new stage. In 2012, two-way trade amounted to around 14.5 billion dollars.

"We have a deficit in the balance of trade with China amounting to 4.071 billion U.S. Dollars,” Capitanich said and added that the government of President Cristina Fernández wants to improve that balance and generate conditions of sustainability for the trade between the two countries.

China has become the second largest trading partner of Argentina, while the South American country is the sixth largest trading partner of China in Latin America.