BEIJING, Feb. 20 (Xinhuanet)-- The visiting Mexican Foreign Minister, Luis Ernesto Derbez, said here on Monday that China is Mexico's "strategic ally" instead of a "rival."

    Derbez made the remarks at a press conference at the Mexican embassy in Beijing.

    The Mexican foreign minister expressed optimism for the future development of Mexico-China cooperation.

    "We have a lot in common and share common interests in various aspects," he noted.

    According to the minister, both countries have highlighted tourism, logistics, transportation, shoemaking and electronics as key areas for bilateral cooperation.

    Derbez arrived in the Chinese capital on Sunday for a three-day official visit, ahead of the second biannual meeting of the China-Mexico Permanent Committee, a political-commercial consultation mechanism established in August 2004.

    This year's meeting is expected to relieve the ascending worries among Mexican shoemakers and garment businesses towards their Asian competitors, through face-to-face dialogue.

    China and Mexico first agreed to set up the consultation mechanism during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Mexico in late 2003. It consists of multiple sub-commissions dealing with affairs on politics, commerce, culture, education, and science and technology.

    Derbez also briefed the press on the proposed launch of two direct air routes in 2007 that will connect Tijuana, a city on the Mexico-U.S. border, to Beijing and Shanghai. Enditem