China's top legislator holds talks with president of Mexico's Chamber of Deputies

BEIJING -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji held talks with President of the Chamber of Deputies of Mexico Sergio Gutiérrez Luna in Beijing on Monday.

Zhao, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said China is willing to work with Mexico to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, jointly carry out the five programs to build a community with a shared future between China and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, enrich the China-Mexico comprehensive strategic partnership and promote China-LAC solidarity and prosperity.

The five programs, with their focus ranging from solidarity, development and civilization to peace and people-to-people connectivity, were announced by President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum in Beijing last week.

Zhao said the Chinese side highly appreciates the Chamber of Deputies' long-term commitment to the one-China principle, and welcomes Mexico to participate in Belt and Road projects in a flexible manner.

China welcomes Mexico to deepen cooperation in traditional fields such as infrastructure construction, expand cooperation in emerging fields such as electric vehicles, new energy, and agricultural machinery, strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and enhance cooperation in areas such as education, think tanks and news media.

China's NPC is willing to strengthen exchanges with Mexico's parliament and maintain close coordination, Zhao said.

As important members of the Global South, China and LAC countries should carry forward their glorious tradition of independence and autonomy, protect their right to development, safeguard international fairness and justice, and practice true multilateralism, Zhao said.

Mexico is willing to work with China to promote the implementation of the outcomes of the China-CELAC Forum and strengthen cooperation in the fields of economy, science and technology, culture, education and tourism, Sergio Gutiérrez said.

Mexico supports strengthening international cooperation instead of erecting barriers, and the Chamber of Deputies of Mexico hopes to deepen exchanges with China's NPC and advance Mexico-China and LAC-China relations, Sergio Gutiérrez said.