Chinese premier, Mexican president meet on ties

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, December 14, 2003

Chinese premier, Mexican president meet on ties

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Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with Mexican President Vicente Fox on China-Mexico relations on Friday and they announced the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries.

Fox held a welcome ceremony for Premier Wen at the presidential palace before the two leaders started their talks. After national anthems of China and Mexico were played, Fox delivered a welcome speech.

The Mexican president said the fact that Premier Wen chose Mexico as a destination of his first visit since he took office reflected both sides' aspiration to further promote bilateral ties.

China is playing an increasingly important role in the world, and Mexico is willing to work together with China for a more prosperous and equitable world.

Premier Wen said in reply that he hoped to enhance mutual trust,expand common ground, deepen cooperation and seek common development between the two countries through his visit.

During their talks, Fox spoke highly of the smooth growth of Mexico-China relations and said that the Mexican government adheres to the one-China policy and sees China as a friendly and reliable partner for cooperation.

Mexico looks forward to working with China in promoting the all-round development of Mexico-China relations, Fox said.

Mexico's Secretary of Tourism, Secretary of Economy, Secretary of Treasury and Public Credit, and Secretary of Foreign Relations briefed Wen and other Chinese guests on cooperation between Mexicoand China in tourism, trade, energy, finance, aviation and the fight against terrorism, as well as future plans of cooperation inthese fields.

Since China and Mexico established diplomatic relations 31 years ago, their bilateral ties, which have withstood the test of time and vicissitudes on the international arena, are at the best period for development, Premier Wen said.

As China and Mexico are both important developing countries, forging an enduring and friendly cooperation partnership not only conforms to the fundamental and long-term interests of the two peoples, but also contributes to boosting the South-South cooperation, enhancing the overall national strength of the developing countries, and promoting establishment of a fair and rational new world order, he added.

Wen said he fully agreed with President Fox's comment that "Thetwo countries are cooperation partners and in no way rivals in competition," and "Relations between the two countries are facing a unique and strategic fine opportunity."

Premier Wen formally announced establishing a strategic partnership between China and Mexico. To achieve that end, he put forward the following five proposals:

Firstly, an inter-governmental standing committee should be created to guide and coordinate bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Secondly, exchanges between the Chinese and Mexican governments,parliaments, parties and non-governmental organizations should be intensified while the role of the existing cooperation mechanisms in diplomacy, trade, culture and education as well as science and technology should be brought into full play.

Thirdly, diversity of bilateral economic cooperation should be promoted. China encourages investment by both Chinese and Mexican enterprises in Mexican and China, to jointly develop internationalmarkets. China is willing to increase its imports from Mexico. Meanwhile, the two countries should sign agreements on investment protection, avoidance of double taxation, etc at an early date.

Fourthly, bilateral exchanges in culture, education and scienceand technology should be further deepened. China is considering approving Mexico as a tourism destination for its nationals and establishing cultural centers in each other's cities. China is also ready to sign a new agreement on scientific cooperation with Mexico.

Fifthly, coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs should be strengthened so as to safeguard the interests of the developing countries and contribute to world peace and development.

After the meeting, the two leaders attended the signing ceremony of health and cultural cooperation agreements as well as accords on intellectual property rights protection and telecommunications.

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