China is sending a clear signal that it is further opening its markets and facilitating free trade by hosting the China International Import Expo from Monday to Nov 10 in Shanghai, Chilean Foreign Minister Roberto Ampuero said on Thursday.

"This is a very important issue for Chile, and we appreciate this very much," he told China Daily in an exclusive interview in Beijing.

Ampuero is among a large Chilean delegation that will attend the event, including Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, Chilean president from 1994 to 2000; two sitting ministers and more than 60 entrepreneurs.

Ampuero said Chile is concerned with rising protectionist voices, while the Andean nation is in favor of open markets.

"We support and defend free trade not only because we believe it is important, but also because all the development that Chile has achieved over the years is mainly based on free trade. Life has changed for the better for our people," he said.

China's decision to reform and open up, Ampuero said, not only ignited its achievements over the past 40 years but has also offered immense opportunities to the rest of the world.

China is the largest trading partner of many countries, including Chile, he added.

Chile was the first Latin American country to sign a free-trade agreement with China, with bilateral trade volume reaching $35.4 billion in 2017.

In November 2017, the countries agreed to upgrade the trade agreement, and the new deal is expected to take effect on Jan 1, according to Wang Shouwen, vice-minister of commerce.

Saying that Chile and China have deep and stable ties based on mutual trust, Ampuero added that his country has a goal of building a more diversified relationship with China, including cooperation in new aspects such as astronomy and telecommunications, while also maintaining cooperation in traditional areas such as mining and fruit exports.

The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on jointly building the Belt and Road on Friday. "The initiative opens a lot of doors for a closer relationship between the two countries, and also opens doors to develop infrastructure and connectivity in our country," he said.