Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong's just-concluded visit to Latin America and the Caribbean has further promoted friendship and cooperation between China and the region, Vice Foreign Minister Zhou Wenzhong said.

The five-nation tour, which lasted from Jan. 23 to Feb. 5 and came after Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit last November, has further advanced mutual trust and common development with those countries, said the vice foreign minister.

During the visit, Zeng held bilateral talks with leaders of Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, pledging continued efforts for cooperation in the fields of politics, economy, trade, energy and culture.

He also met with Secretary-General of the Andean Community (Ancom) Harlan Wagner Tizon and foreign ministers of the bloc's five member states -- Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia.

During the Jan. 27 meeting in Lima, the highest-level meeting since China and the Ancom inked an agreement on the establishment of a mechanism of political consultation and cooperation in 2000, the two sides vowed to enhance their dialogue and deepen cooperation in various fields.

Zeng also attended the opening ceremony of the first ministerial meeting of the China-Caribbean Economy and Trade Cooperation Forum 2005 on Feb. 2 in Kingston, capital of Jamaica.

The purpose of Zeng's visit was "to enhance friendship, cooperation and to learn" and the trip has met the target, Zhou said.

Zeng reiterated during his trip that China and Latin America, which have a similar history, should boost ties and seek a win-win solution to development in face of the complex world situation and globalization.

The leaders of the five nations agreed that China's development is an opportunity to Latin America instead of a threat and China has never imposed any conditions when aiding other countries, according to Zhou.

With vast territory, splendid cultures and friendly peoples, the five nations and China have a broad prospect for cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and educational fields, said the vice foreign minister.

During Zeng's visit, China and the five countries signed about 50 cooperation agreements on economy, trade, finance, energy, transport, telecommunications, judicial assistance, agriculture, culture, health, tourism and other fields.

Chinese entrepreneurs accompanying Zeng also held talks with local business people, Zhou said.

During the visit, Zeng said that Mexico, Peru, Venezuela and 10 other Caribbean countries became Chinese citizens' tourism destinations while Peru, Venezuela, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago recognized China's full market economy status.

Zeng and the leaders of the five countries also discussed the experience of governing a country.

Zeng said the Latin-American and Caribbean nations have successful experience in economic development and social progress, from which China should learn.

The Chinese vice-president, on different occasions, also briefed his hosts on social and economic achievements China has made since it adopted the opening-up and reform policy 26 years ago.

The leaders of the five nations and those attending the China-Caribbean Economy and Trade Cooperation Forum also expressed their admiration for China's achievements and their appreciation for China's adherence to its own path of development.

Latin America and the Caribbean are important part of the developing world and of great importance to China's diplomacy, said Zhou. He added that both China and these countries advocate multilateralism, favor promoting democracy in international relations, and try to create a better international atmosphere for their development.

Zeng's visit will have great influence on China's ties with Latin America and the Caribbean, Zhou said.