Chinese, Mexican presidents vow to further ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday stressed that China always values Sino-Mexican relations and takes efforts to develop the relations as a strategic issue for the country.

Xi made the remarks when holding talks with his Mexican counterpart Enrique Pena Nieto in the southern Chinese city of Sanya.

Xi said Mexico plays an increasingly important role in international and regional affairs.

Both China and Mexico are experiencing an important stage of development and there is a sound foundation for the two countries to strengthen the bilateral partnership, Xi said.

Xi said China is willing to deepen the strategic mutual trust between the two countries.

"The two sides should support each other's development, especially on the issues concerning the other's core interests," he said.

They should maintain high-level exchanges and communications among the political parties and legislative institutions, the Chinese president added.

Moreover, Xi called on the two sides to make the best use of the cooperation mechanism between the two countries, such as the China-Mexico permanent binational commission and strategic dialogues, to coordinate the two countries' respective development strategies.

Xi also expressed his hope for the two countries' joint efforts for mutual benefits.

He urged efforts to optimize the structure of trade between China and Mexico, promote mutual investments and enhance cooperation in infrastructure construction, energy and mining, in order to secure a balanced growth of bilateral trade.

Moreover, cultural communications should be promoted, Xi said, adding that efforts should be made to enhance the cooperation in the fields of culture, education, science and technology, tourism and health.

Exchanges among the press, sports circles and academia, as well as communication among the youth of the two nations, should also be enhanced, Xi suggested.

In addition to the bilateral exchanges, Xi underlined efforts to intensify consultations and collaborations within the framework of multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, the G20, the World Trade Organization and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation.

The two countries should make joint efforts in protecting the rights and interests of developing countries and promote democracy in international relations, Xi said.

Pena Nieto voiced his willingness to deepen the friendship and seek mutual development between Mexico and China. The friendship between Mexico and China is akin to a brotherhood, he said.

The Mexican government highly appreciates the progress China has achieved in its development and the contributions it has made to the world, he said.

According to the Mexican president, Mexico is willing to maintain institutionalized exchanges and dialogues with China, deepen the political mutual trust and expand Mexico-China cooperations in trade, investments and culture.

Moreover, Mexico is ready to join hands with China in handling global challenges and advancing the bilateral relations between the two countries as well as cooperation among Latin American and Asian countries.

Pena Nieto is paying a state visit to China. He will also attend this year's Boao Forum for Asia, which will open on Sunday, in south China's Hainan Province.