Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for joint efforts from both China and Mexico to expand their economic cooperation.

 

　　Our reporter Xiuqi takes a closer look.

 

　　"China does not seek trade surplus. It will always be open and actively increase imports from Mexico, especially high value-added products. China and Mexico should stand together against protectionism and seek solutions to any trade frictions through dialogue and consultations so as to create a favourable environment for expanding business cooperation between the two countries."

 

　　This was the Chinese president addressing lawmakers in the Mexican Senate.

 

　　He also said that both sides should treat each other as equals and expand mutual investment.

 

　　China is currently Mexico's second largest trading partner in the world, with last year's two-way trade coming in at 36.7-billion U.S. dollars.

 

　　But some figures also show that Mexico has a large trade deficit with China.

 

　　That may be resolved in the near future though, with Xi Jinping saying that China – the second largest import market in the world – will import more than 10 trillion US dollars worth of commodities.

 

　　That along with plans to invest over 500 billion dollars overseas in the next five years, he says will bring more business opportunities to Mexico and other countries in Latin America.

 

　　But he also said that the common development between China and Latin America must remain a priority as well.

 

　　"Mexico is an important country in Latin America. The development of relations between our two nations can be an important driving force for China-Latin American relations at large. Currently, there is an important window of opportunity for the development of China-Latin American relations. We should take a far-sighted view, enhance all-dimensional exchanges, and work for mutual benefit and common development between China and Latin America."

 

　　The Chinese President and his Mexican counterpart Enrique Pena Nieto have already agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership.

 

　　Nieto has said China is an important partner for Mexico, and the upgrade opens broader prospects for economic and trade cooperation between the two nations.

 

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

 

　　From here, the Chinese President will fly to California for a meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama.

 

　　For CRI, I'm Xiuqi.