Top Chinese legislator starts Mexico visit

China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang on Tuesday arrived in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, to start an official goodwill visit intended to boost bilateral relations, particularly the legislative ties.

Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, is making the visit at the invitation of Mexican President of Senate Miguel Barbosa Huerta and President of Mexican Chamber of Deputies Silvano Aureoles Conejo.

This is the first ever visit to Mexico by a top Chinese legislator since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1972.

During his stay in Mexico City, Zhang will meet with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and hold talks with Barbosa and Aureoles.

China is Mexico's second largest trading partner, with two-way trade hitting 39.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2013, according to Chinese customs figures.

Mexico is the last leg of Zhang's nine-day Latin America tour, which has taken him to Peru and Colombia.