Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Mexican counterpart Enrique Pena Nieto on Tuesday pledged to enhance bilateral cooperation in culture, education, technology and social development.

In a joint statement released after talks between Xi and Pena Nieto, they stressed the importance of culture in boosting mutual understanding between the two peoples.

The two leaders agreed to promote cultural and artistic exchanges in traditional and emerging areas and cooperation in cultural industries.

The statement said that the two governments will enhance educational exchanges in such areas as Spanish and Chinese teaching, adding that they will also support youth exchanges.

China promised to offer 300 government scholarships to Mexican students, while the National Autonomous University of Mexico will establish a center of Mexican studies in Beijing Foreign Studies University.

In technology, the two sides will promote cooperation in such areas as clean and renewable energy, the prevention and control of environmental pollution, biotechnology and nanotechnology.

As developing countries, China and Mexico face similar challenges in economic and social fields, the statement said.

The two governments will promote cooperation in achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth, reducing poverty, narrowing gap between the rich and the poor and improving social welfare, according to the statement.

The two leaders witnessed the signing of a dozen agreements covering bilateral cooperation in energy, mining, infrastructure, trade, investment, education and banking.

During talks earlier in the day, Xi and Pena Nieto agreed to lift their countries' relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Xi arrived in Mexico City Tuesday for a three-day state visit.

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.

From Mexico, Xi will fly to California for a summit meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama. Endi