Li Changchun, a senior official of the Communist Party of China
(CPC), on Thursday spoke highly of the active role the Mexican
parliament has played in deepening mutual understanding and
friendship between the peoples of the two countries.
During a meeting with Manlio Fabio Beltrones Rivera, president
of the Mexican Senate, Li, a member of the Standing Committee of
the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, recalled the
growth of Mexico-China friendship since the establishment of
diplomatic ties 35 years ago and expressed satisfaction over the
fruitful bilateral cooperation between the two countries in all
fields.
Li said it is in the fundamental interests of both countries and
their peoples to expand cooperation.
For his part, Rivera said the Mexican Senate is happy to see
that the Mexican government is working to continuously expand ties
with China, and the Senate shares the same view with the government
on continuously advancing relations with China.
Rivera said Mexico has benefited from the growing relationship
with China and closer Mexico-China ties also contribute to world
peace and development.
Li said the Chinese legislature, known as the National People's
Congress, is ready to strengthen exchanges with the Mexican
parliament in such fields as legislation and supervision.
He said the two legislatures should work together to develop
legal systems for each country, deepen bilateral relations and
promote common development.
Rivera said trade and economic cooperation between the two
countries have been growing rapidly.
Mexico has become the second largest trade partner of China in
Latin America. Since the two countries established a strategic
partnership in 2003, bilateral trade volume has surged from US$9.9
billion four years ago to more than US$20 billion in 2006.
Li said China-Mexico friendship has solid political basis, broad
common interests and bright prospects of development.
He said the Chinese Communist Party is willing to further deepen
friendly exchanges with all major political parties in the Mexican
parliament.
Mexico is the first leg of Li's visit to Latin America. He will
also visit Venezuela, Suriname and Peru.
(Xinhua News Agency March 23, 2007)
