Special Report: Li Chinagchun visits Mexico, Venezuela, Suriname,  Peru and Samoa

    MEXICO CITY, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Li Changchun, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has proposed further strengthening of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Mexico, saying that it will contribute to the well-being of the two peoples.

    Li said China and Mexico regard each other as strategic partners, and enhancing bilateral cooperation will also be of great significance for promoting cooperation among and self-dependence of developing countries, as well as the democratization of international relations.

    Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Mexican Secretary of Foreign Relations Patricia Espinosa Cantellano Thursday afternoon.

    During the meeting, Li put forward some suggestions on increasing political trust between the two countries, expanding their strategic common ground and realizing their strategic partnership through friendly cooperation in various fields.

    Li suggested that China and Mexico should maintain the momentum of exchanging visits by high-ranking officials and expand cooperation between their governments, legislatures and political parties.

    Li proposed the expansion of bilateral economic cooperation. He also said cooperation should be expanded in the fields of trade, culture, education, science and technology, news and tourism, and that communication between non-governmental groups in the two countries should be widened.

    He also called for the two countries to increase dialogue and enhance coordination in international affairs, especially in respect of resolving development problems, safeguarding common interests and pushing forward common development.

    Espinosa agreed with Li's suggestions on developing bilateral relations. She said that against the backdrop of the new international situation, Mexico and China have kept frequent high-level contacts and continuously expanded areas of cooperation.

    The Mexican government is satisfied with the fruitful bilateral exchanges and cooperation in all fields and effective coordination and communication between the two countries in the multilateral arena.

    She said the Mexican government will continue to attach priority to its foreign policy of developing relations with China, and will spare no time in implementing the joint action plan the two governments have signed to promote the long-term, stable and healthy development of Sino-Mexican relations.