BEIJING - China will work with Latin American countries to build a higher platform for comprehensive cooperation, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said here Wednesday.

Hong Lei made the remarks at a regular press conference when asked to introduce China's proposal on establishing a China-Latin America cooperation forum.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday delivered a speech at the headquarters of the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, proposing the establishment of a China-Latin America cooperation forum, in order to elevate the platform for comprehensive cooperation.

Hong said China-Latin America relations have entered a stage of comprehensive, wide-ranging and multi-level development in recent years.

Under the current situation, China and Latin American countries should further their comprehensive cooperation and establish a high-level cooperative mechanism, so as to jointly cope with global challenges and achieve common development, he said.

"China is willing to work with Latin American countries to jointly open up a new era for China-Latin America relations," he said.