Li Changchun, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), on Thursday spoke highly of the active role the Mexican parliament has played in deepening mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

During a meeting with Manlio Fabio Beltrones Rivera, president of the Mexican Senate, Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, recalled the growth of Mexico-China friendship since the establishment of diplomatic ties 35 years ago and expressed satisfaction over the fruitful bilateral cooperation between the two countries in all fields.

Li said it is in the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples to expand cooperation.

For his part, Rivera said the Mexican Senate is happy to see that the Mexican government is working to continuously expand ties with China, and the Senate shares the same view with the government on continuously advancing relations with China.

Rivera said Mexico has benefited from the growing relationship with China and closer Mexico-China ties also contribute to world peace and development.

Li said the Chinese legislature, known as the National People's Congress, is ready to strengthen exchanges with the Mexican parliament in such fields as legislation and supervision.

He said the two legislatures should work together to develop legal systems for each country, deepen bilateral relations and promote common development.

Rivera said trade and economic cooperation between the two countries have been growing rapidly.

Mexico has become the second largest trade partner of China in Latin America. Since the two countries established a strategic partnership in 2003, bilateral trade volume has surged from 9.9 billion U.S. dollars four years ago to more than 20 billion U.S. dollars in 2006.

Li said China-Mexico friendship has solid political basis, broad common interests and bright prospects of development.

He said the Chinese Communist Party is willing to further deepen friendly exchanges with all major political parties in the Mexican parliament.

Mexico is the first leg of Li's visit to Latin America. He will also visit Venezuela, Suriname and Peru.

Source: Xinhua