Chinese State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan met with visiting Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Ernesto Derbez Bautista here Monday, during which they discussed bilateral ties and spoke highly of the founding of a permanent bi-national commission.

Tang said China-Mexico ties witnessed great progress with care from two states' leaders, stressing that the establishment of the commission was significant for the growth of such relationship.

As both major developing countries, China and Mexico have broad common interests in international arena, he said, noting that enhancing the strategic partnership between the two countries is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples and significant for South-South cooperation.

Derbez said he was satisfied with the fruits of his visit. The Mexican government attaches importance to ties with China and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in all aspects.

After the founding ceremony of the commission on earlier Monday,four sub-committees on bilateral cooperation in politics, economy and trade, science and technology as well as education held meetings separately.

China and Mexico agreed to form a strategic partnership and to set up a permanent bi-national commission when Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao paid an official visit to Mexico in December 2003.

Source: Xinhua