Although China and Mexico are separated by oceans, the two countries enjoy historical, long-term friendly ties, said Chinese President Jiang Zemin in his message to his Mexican counterpart, Vicente Fox.

Ever since China and Mexico established diplomatic ties 30 years ago, the two have nurtured good political relations and have seen the incessant deepening of their mutual understanding and friendship, said Jiang.

During the past decades, the two sides have also achieved remarkable progress in developing bilateral trade and economic ties, and the bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the fields of science, culture and education have been fruitful, said the Chinese head of state.

China and Mexico have been maintaining close consultations and extending mutual support in the United Nations, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and other multi-lateral organizations, said Jiang. He added that it is proved that the Sino-Mexican friendly cooperative ties, which have withstood the test of time and vicissitudes in the world arena, have been developing smoothly during the past years.

China and Mexico, as two developing countries of great significance, enjoy comprehensive common interests in such major issues as safeguarding world peace, promoting common development and safeguarding the national interests of developing countries, said Jiang.

He noted that to strengthen and develop the all-round, friendly cooperative ties between the two countries is not only in the fundamental interests of the two peoples, but also conducive to regional and world peace and development.

He pledged to join hands with the Mexican side in exploring new ways and areas for promoting bilateral cooperation, based on the five principles of peaceful co-existence, to a new high in the new century for the common welfare of the two peoples.

For his part, President Vicente Fox recalled that during his two visits to China last year -- the state visit to China in June and the attendance at the APEC meeting in Shanghai in October -- he was impressed by the good response to the willingness to further the vigorous bilateral ties.

He also extended congratulations to China on its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), a move showing that China is merging into the world trade mechanism for the common benefit of WTO members.

Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan also exchanged messages of congratulations with his Mexican counterpart, Jorge G. Castaneda, on the occasion.

(February 14, 2002)