China, Mexico boost relations

Countries sign series of agreements on energy, trade and construction

China and Mexico, two of the world's emerging powers, "relaunched" their partnership, strengthening it with the signing of a dozen agreements on Tuesday — the first day of President Xi Jinping's three-day visit.

Xi said his meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has been fruitful and produced a consensus on many issues.

"Our joint announcement to elevate our strategic partnership to an overall strategic partnership reflects both the reality of bilateral relations as well as shows the direction of their future development," Xi told the media after meeting his Mexican counterpart.

Xi, who last visited Mexico in 2009 as China's vice-president, arrived in Mexico City after touring Trinidad and Tobago and Costa Rica, where agreements to develop ties were also signed. The agreements and memorandum of understanding signed on Tuesday between Mexico and China cover cooperation in energy, new-industry trade, infrastructure construction, mining, trade, education, banking and entrepreneurial exchanges.

Pena Nieto said Xi's official visit to Mexico proves the two countries have reached a high level of friendship, trust and cooperation.

He said he believes China and Mexico will explore additional ways to cooperate, and that Mexico will attract Chinese investment for large projects, including in energy and infrastructure.

Pena Nieto, who took office in December, visited China in April to attend the Boao Asia Forum in Hainan province, where he met Xi.

Trade between the two countries was $36 billion last year, more than seven times what it was in 2003, when China and Mexico established a strategic partnership.

Liu Yuqin, a researcher of Latin American studies at the China Foundation for International Studies and former Chinese ambassador to Ecuador, Chile and Cuba, said the elevation of the bilateral relationship is based on the two countries' well-developed cooperation and shows that they consider each other important.

The Sino-Mexican relationship has developed well in many areas, including the economy, politics and culture, since they established diplomatic ties in 1972, Liu said.