Beijing and Mexico City, both metropolises known for their ancient civilizations, are likely to formalize an agreement within this year on becoming twin cities, visiting Beijing vice mayor Zhai Hongxiang said on Tuesday.

The deal is expected to help promote bilateral cooperation and exchanges in the fields of municipal governance, education, culture and sports, Zhai said upon signing a deal, on Beijing's intention to become Mexico City's twin, with Jose Angel Avila, a senior official of the Mexico City government.

Under the intentional deal, the two sides will launch the assessment process for officially becoming twin cities.

Beijing and Mexico City share challenges in traffic, municipal governance, environmental protection and human resource management.

"It is still a challenge facing Beijing to combine building a modern city with preserving the outlooks of an ancient city," Zhai said, adding that Beijing should learn from other metropolis as the Chinese capital is determined to build itself into a vibrant metropolis.

Avila voiced hope for the two cities to strengthen cooperation in city planning and construction, the ecological system, trade and investment.

Beijing has forged twin city ties with 39 cities worldwide, including Washington, Tokyo, Tel Aviv and Havana.

(Xinhua News Agency April 12, 2007)