China and Mexico agreed in Mexico City Monday morning to strengthen dialogues, enhance mutual trust and enrich the content of their strategic partnership.

The agreement was reached between Chinese President Hu Jintao, who arrived here Sunday for a state visit, and his Mexican counterpart Vicente Fox during their talks.

The two sides also signed a series of cooperative documents here Monday concerning avoidance of double taxation, culture, plant quarantine, agriculture, social development and mining.

At a news briefing after the talks, Hu said his talks with Fox were "fruitful" and they reached important consensus on the future development of bilateral relations as the two countries enjoy solid political basis, wide-ranging common interests and broad development prospects.

They have agreed to further bilateral economic and trade cooperation, expand two-way investment and explore new areas for cooperation.

Hu said China welcomes more Mexican agricultural products to enter the Chinese market and the two sides will also enhance their cooperation in agriculture, fishery, mining, household appliances, textile and light industry.

The two sides will strengthen cultural exchanges and promote tourism as well, said Hu.

The two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in international affairs, giving priority to development and the establishment of a just and rational international political and economic new order.

The two presidents disclosed that a bilateral joint committee will convene the second meeting at the beginning of next year to work out a joint action plan as soon as possible.

Hu said China welcomes Mexico to set up a consular office in economically-advanced Guangzhou city, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, which will help further bilateral relations.

He said the long-term friendship between China and Mexico is in the fundamental interest of the two countries and their peoples, and the Chinese side will make concerted efforts with the Mexican side to advance bilateral strategic partnership.

Fox said his talks with Hu were "very important" and they had a good exchange of views on issues of common concern.

He said the two countries have conducted increased cooperation in the international arena and "very close" cooperation in various fields.

He said the two presidents decided to have more exchanges of high-level visits, and he invites people from all walks of life of the two countries to participate in and support bilateral cooperation as the relations between the two sides are "very good".

He also mentioned the great achievements made by the two sides in the past two years in economy, trade and investment, and said it is necessary to open a direct air route between the two countries to facilitate the development of tourism.

Before the talks, Fox presided over a grand ceremony to welcome Hu to visit Mexico.

Mexico has become China's second largest trading partner in Latin America after Brazil. Bilateral trade exceeded 7 billion US dollars in 2004, 44 percent higher than the previous year, and China's investment in Mexico rose to nearly 200 million dollars.

Mexico is the second leg of Hu's North American tour after a visit to Canada.

He will also attend the UN summit scheduled for Sept. 14-16 in New York and visit Vancouver of Canada on the way back Beijing.

Source: Xinhua