Chinese, Mexican presidents discuss bilateral co-op

Chinese President Xi Jinping met his Mexican counterpart Enrique Pena Nieto Tuesday to discuss bilateral cooperation.

The Chinese president arrived in Mexico City earlier in the day for a three-day state visit aimed at lifting China-Mexico ties to a higher level.

Xi and Pena Nieto are also expected to exchange views on major global and regional issues of common concern.

In addition, the Chinese president is expected to meet Mexican parliamentary leaders to exchange views on bilateral issues.

Mexico is the last leg of Xi's ongoing three-nation Latin America tour, which has already taken him to Trinidad and Tobago and Costa Rica.

"I am looking forward to further exchanges of views with President Pena Nieto on deepening practical cooperation between the two countries during my visit and to pushing bilateral relations to a new stage," Xi said in a joint interview with media outlets from the three countries ahead of the trip.

He said the two sides will solve the issue regarding Mexican pork exports to China during his visit and China will send a business delegation to Mexico to engage in relevant projects and market development.

"Meanwhile, China welcomes the Mexican side to send delegations to attend Chinese trade exhibitions, enhance understanding of the Chinese markets and promote Mexican products that meet the demand of Chinese consumers," Xi said in the interview.

China-Mexico relations have been developing rapidly since the two countries became strategic partners in 2003. They have maintained frequent high-level exchanges and deepened political mutual trust.

China is Mexico's second largest trading partner, while Mexico is China's second biggest in Latin America. Last year, two-way trade stood at 36.7 billion U.S. dollars.

Bilateral cooperation has also expanded continuously in such sectors as culture, education, science and technology, and tourism in recent years.

From Mexico, Xi will fly to the U.S. state of California to meet with U.S. President Barack Obama.