Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Buenos Aires for a state visit to Argentina, the second leg of his four-nation Latin America tour, July 18, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

BUENOS AIRES -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Argentine counterpart, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, agreed here Friday to upgrade bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

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Bilateral cooperation has made tremendous progress since the two countries established a strategic partnership 10 years ago, said the Chinese president, who is here for a state visit to the South American country.

In order to promote the future development of bilateral ties, the two sides have decided to lift their relationship from a strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi added.

Noting that China and Argentina are both emerging-market economies at an important phase of development, Xi said they should stick to the in-the-same-boat spirit to deepen cooperation, tackle challenges and achieve common development.

The two sides also agreed to treat each other as development opportunities and partners and boost reciprocal cooperation and strategic coordination, with the aim of not only facilitating the development of both nations but strengthening solidarity among all developing countries.