China and Mexico have agreed to raise the level of bilateral cooperation and increase commercial ties between the two nations. Chinese President Xi Jinping has met with his Mexican counterpart Enrique Pena Nieto in Mexico City, at the start of his three-day visit.
Xi said China wanted better relations with Mexico, which he called "a great friend and a great partner in the Latin American region." The two leaders signed a number of bilateral cooperation agreements in areas such as energy, infrastructure, mining and education.
Xi Jinping and Pena Nieto agreed that they are transforming the relationship into all-round "strategic partnership" and taking steps to move toward balancing their trade.
"China and Mexico share the common task of developing the economy and improving people’s well being. China is willing to work alongside Mexico to improve the strategic association between the two countries, in order to promote an overall and in-depth development of mutual benefit, and actively contribute to the peace, stability and prosperity of the world," Xi Jinping said.
Enrique Pena Nieto, Mexican president, said, "An important example of this commercial openness is the fact that, the processes that will give pork meat producers access to the Chinese markets, have been finalised, and also the instruction given so the proper areas of the Chinese government allow, soon, the access of all types of tequila to the Chinese market and also we have agreed to find a solution to the issues related to the textile and clothing industry."
On Wednesday, Chinese President Xi will visit Mexico’s senate and deliver a speech there. He then will meet with Mexico City’s mayor and also with Chinese and Mexican businessman. He will round off his trip on Thursday with a visit to the Mayan Ruins of Chichen Itza. Xi will then travel to the United States, the last stop on his tour.