Chinese FM calls for efforts to push China-Mexico ties to new level

China is willing to view and develop China-Mexico relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and will work with Mexico to adhere to mutual respect and equal treatment to push bilateral relations to a new level, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena in Beijing.

Noting that Mexico is a major Latin American country and an important emerging market with global influence, Wang said China attaches great importance to Mexico's international status, and supports Mexico in finding a development path that suits its national conditions.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Mexico, Wang said, adding that bilateral relations are at an important stage.

Emphasizing the great potential of China-Mexico cooperation, Wang called on both sides to comprehensively advance cooperation in areas such as trade and people-to-people cultural exchanges.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has become a popular global public good and the largest international cooperation platform, he said, urging efforts to promote the synergy between the high-quality development of the BRI and Mexico's development strategies, aiming to add a new engine to Mexico's national development.

Noting that China and Mexico are both major developing countries, Wang said the two countries should strengthen multilateral coordination, safeguard the common interests of developing countries and jointly address global challenges, expressing his hope that the two countries can work together to promote the further development of China-Latin America relations.

For her part, Barcena said Mexico attaches great importance to developing relations with China, calling for greater development of bilateral relations.

She said Mexico welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in Mexico, and will maintain close personnel exchanges at all levels, enhance cooperation in areas such as economy, trade and counter-narcotics.

The Mexican side will unswervingly adhere to the one-China principle, she said, vowing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China in multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations and the Group of 20.

Barcena also thanked China for providing strong support to Mexico in responding to the hurricane disaster and purchasing relief materials.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues such as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.