BUENOS AIRES - Chinese Minister of Commerce Chen Deming arrived here on Wednesday for a visit aimed at strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership and consolidating Sino-Argentina trade relations.

This was the first visit by a Chinese commerce minister in seven years. During his stay, he will hold talks with Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez, Foreign Minister Hector Timerman and Industry Minister Debora Giorgi.

Chen will discuss with his Argentinian hosts how to consolidate and strengthen trade cooperation between the two countries and how to resolve issues in economic and trade ties through dialogue and consultations.

Chen is also expected to attend a forum of entrepreneurs from both sides and meet representatives of entrepreneurs.

A memorandum on promoting two-way investment will be signed during the visit of Chen, who arrived from Washington where he attended the just-concluded China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue.

Sino-Argentinian trade has grown rapidly over recent years, with China having become Argentina's second largest trade partner and third largest source of foreign investment.

However, since last year, the Argentinian government has adopted a series of measures aimed at restricting imports of Chinese products, inflicting adverse impacts on bilateral trade.