China, Mexico seek stronger legislative ties

Zhang Dejiang (L), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), meets with President of Mexican Chamber of Deputies Silvano Aureoles Conejo in Mexico City, Mexico, on Nov. 26, 2014. Zhang Dejiang is in Mexico for an offcial goodwill visit. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)

Legislative leaders of China and Mexico on Wednesday vowed to promote exchanges and cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries.

The pledge was made during top Chinese legislator Zhang Dejiang' s respective talks with Mexican President of Senate Miguel Barbosa Huerta and President of Mexican Chamber of Deputies Silvano Aureoles Conejo.

Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, said China-Mexico relations now stay at their historic high and it is time to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries.

Zhang called on both sides to increase exchanges and experience sharing at all levels, make best use of a dialogue forum between the two legislative bodies and learn from each other on legislation and state governance.

Zhang proposed the legislative bodies of the two countries work for practical cooperation in all sectors, improve laws and policies, promote trade liberalization and facilitation and guarantee the legitimate rights and interests of investors in a bid to boost China-Mexico relations.

Barbosa and Aureoles said Zhang' s visit, the first ever to Mexico by a top Chinese legislator since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1972, signifies that the legislative relations have entered a new stage.

The Senate and Chamber of Deputies of Mexico support the development of bilateral relations and would like to work more closely with the NPC and make unremitting efforts to deepen mutual understanding, promote pragmatic cooperation and boost bilateral relations, Barbosa and Aureoles said.

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