On June 26, 2012, visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Chile's Senate President Camilo Escalona in San Diego.

Wen conveyed to Escalona cordial greetings from Wu Bangguo, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee of China. Chile is the first South American country to establish diplomatic ties with China and its parliament is also the first one in the region to set up a mechanism for political dialogue with the NPC, Wen noted. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 42 years ago, bilateral relations have withstood the test of the changing international situation and maintained steady and healthy development, Wen said, attributing this to the support from the legislatures and people of the two countries.

"Today, President Sebastian Pinera and I decided to elevate our ties to a strategic partnership, which is another milestone in bilateral relations," he said. China is willing to take this as a new starting point to implement the consensus reached between the two sides and advance exchanges and cooperation in all fields for more fruitful results, he said. Wen invited more Chilean senators to visit China, as part of efforts to enhance exchanges with the NPC and contribute to further development of the overall bilateral relationship.

Escalona asked Wen to convey his cordial greetings and good wishes to Chairman Wu. Escalona said the Chilean Senate played an important role in pushing for the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties, and has maintained traditional friendly ties with China. Chile admires China's development achievements and endorses the concept of a harmonious world put forward by China. It is of great significance for both sides to establish strategic partnership. The Chilean Senate is willing to boost exchanges with the Chinese side, push forward mutually beneficial cooperation for the benefit of both peoples and play its part in further promoting ties between China and the region as a whole.