SANTIAGO - Some 77 percent of Chileans have positive views about China, according to a poll published on Monday.

Plaza Publica Cadem, one of the country's top pollsters, said 60 percent of those surveyed also identified China as Chile's leading trade partner.

Some 51 percent of respondents think the South American country should deepen its trade ties with China.

The survey was carried out in the lead up to Chilean President Sebastian Pinera's April 24-28 state visit to China, where he will also attend the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Cadem queried 709 Chileans by phone on Thursday and Friday. The survey has a 3.7-percent margin of error, the polling firm said.