The year 2009 witnessed further deepening and growth of relations between the People's Republic of China and the Multinational States of Bolivia. Political mutual trust between the two countries was further deepened. President Hu Jintao had a bilateral meeting with President Juan Evo Morales Ayma on the sidelines of the UN summits in September, during which the two leaders reached important agreement on further strengthening China-Bolivia relations. In December, President Hu Jintao and Vice President Xi Jinping sent messages of congratulation to President Morales and Vice President Alvaro Garcia Rinela respectively on their re-election. The Chinese government provided an emergency aid grant of US$300,000 to the Bolivian government to assist its efforts in tackling the dengue fever epidemic. Bolivian Vice Foreign Minister Hugo Alfredo Fernandez Araoz visited China. The two foreign ministries held their 7th political consultation and the 2nd consular consultation. Chen Fengxiang, Vice Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee and Cheng Siwei, former Vice Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee and President of China-Latin America Friendship Association visited Bolivia. The ethnic minority committee of the Bolivian National Congress and the Bolivia-China parliamentary friendship group sent delegations to China. Trade and economic relations between the two sides expanded rapidly with broader areas of cooperation. The two sides also maintained close communication and cooperation in international affairs. Bolivia continued to be a staunch supporter of China's positions on Taiwan and Tibet-related issues. | 
