BUENOS AIRES, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) holds advantages for both the Asian country and its development partners in Latin America, an Argentine youth leader has said.

China is "a strategic partner" for the region as a whole, said Pedro Robledo, head of Argentina's National Youth Institute (Injuve).

China and Argentina have a number of joint development projects underway as part of the BRI that are helping energize local economies in various provinces, said Robledo, also a member of the center-right Republican Proposal party (PRO).

Chinese companies, for example, are helping construct South America's largest solar farm in the northwestern province of Jujuy and wind farms in the provinces of Buenos Aires and Chubut, with an eye to boosting renewable energy and contributing to combating climate change.

But there is still much room for cooperation, especially in agriculture, he said.

"The food industry is one of the most important sectors to explore, because we have to a great degree what China lacks, and China has to a great degree what we lack. So, in this field there is huge complementarity that needs to be expanded, that needs to be spurred," said Robledo.

Robledo, a trained lawyer, will travel to China in July to study at China's Tsinghua University.

He hopes "to not just study, but to bring our two countries, China and Argentina, closer together," said Robledo, who is convinced that the success of the BRI lies in greater cultural exchange and understanding.

China is a country that always respects culture of other countries, said the youth leader.

"I believe China's intentions in our region of Latin America are totally praiseworthy," said Robledo, adding that the relationship can grow a lot more.