Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Monday the establishment of a permanent commission between the governments of China and Mexico marks a concrete step in the strategic partnership of the two countries.

Wen made these remarks during his meeting with visiting Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Ernesto Derbez Bautista at the Great Hall of the People.

The founding ceremony of the permanent bi-national commission was held earlier Monday, with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Derbez attending.

The establishment of the commission was one of the consensus that had been reached by Wen and Mexican President Vicente Fox during his visit to Mexico last December.

The two countries established diplomatic ties in February 1972. Since then great progress has been made in biateral cooperation in all fields and Mexico has become China's second largest trade partner in Latin America. China has also become the major trade partner of Mexico in Asia.

Bilateral trade volume reached 3.11 billion US dollars in the first half year of this year, up 34.8 percent year-on-year.

During the meeting, Wen said the Chinese government has attached great importance to the development of its relations with Mexico.

China and Mexico are both big developing countries, Wen said. To strengthen friendly bilateral cooperation will help benefit the social and economic development of the two countries, and increase their role in international affairs.

Wen praised the establishment of the commission, saying that he hoped the two sides can continue to cooperate and push the friendly cooperative relations forward.

Derbez said the strategic partnership is significant to both countries. During his visit to China, the two sides have exchanged views on politics, trade and economy, science and technology, education and culture, communications, agriculture and tourism, and reached a series of consensus. "This will benefit the mutually beneficial cooperation of the two countries," he said.

He said that there was a great potential for bilateral cooperation and the Mexican government will work harder to improve it.

Derbez reiterated that Mexico adheres to one-China policy and is in opposition to Taiwan's attempt of joining the United Nations.