China-Mexico ties in new stage of growth

BEIJING - The forging of China-Mexico strategic partnership in 2003 has ushered the bilateral relations into a new stage of all-round and robust growth, Chinese President Hu Jintao has said.

Hu made the remarks in a written interview with Reforma, a major Mexican newspaper prior to the G20 summit due to be held in Los Cabos from June 18 to 19.

"Thanks to the concerted efforts of both countries, China-Mexico relations have come a long way since the establishment of diplomatic ties 40 years ago," Hu said.

"Frequent high-level exchanges have deepened political mutual trust," said the Chinese president, adding that a regular coordinating committee has been set up between the two governments and two joint action plans are being implemented.

"This makes Mexico the first Latin American country to draw up joint action plans with China," Hu said, adding that the two countries have also set up mechanisms of strategic dialogue and parliamentary dialogue forum.

"Bilateral business ties are thriving," he said.

China has become Mexico's second largest trading partner, and Mexico is China's second largest trading partner in Latin America.

Bilateral exchanges in culture, education, science, technology and tourism are flourishing, Hu said, adding that "China-Mexico friendship enjoys strong popular support in our two countries."

China and Mexico have maintained close coordination and cooperation in important multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, the G20 and APEC and upheld the common interest of developing countries, he said.

"In a complex and volatile international environment, boosting China-Mexico strategic cooperation will both enhance the common prosperity of our two countries and contribute significantly to strengthening solidarity and cooperation among developing countries and promoting global peace and development," said the president.

Hu said that China is ready to work with Mexico to strengthen the political foundation of the bilateral relations and fully implement the joint action plans.

"We should tap into the potentials for our cooperation in business, science, technology, culture and other areas, enrich China-Mexico strategic partnership and promote sound and steady long-term growth of the mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries," he added.