Top Chinese legislator meets Mexican President

BEIJING -- Top Chinese legislator Zhang Dejiang on Thursday met with visiting Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto on developing stronger bilateral ties.

Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, said China and Mexico -- both important emerging economies -- share many common interests and boast broad prospects for cooperation.

The fact that China and Mexico forged an all-round strategic partnership last year boosted bilateral cooperation in all fields, Zhang said.

Earlier on Thursday, President Xi Jinping and Pena held talks and decided to create a new setup of bilateral cooperation on key areas including finance, trade, investment, infrastructure, energy and hi-tech.

"The consensus reflects both sides' strong will to build mutual trust and cement cooperation," Zhang said.

The NPC would like to work more closely with the Congress of the Union of Mexico, deepen friendly relations between the legislatures, share experience on state governance, create sound legal environments for pragmatic cooperation, lay a public and social foundation and contribute to implement leaders' consensus and boost bilateral all-round strategic partnership.

Pena underscored Mexican commitment to developing ties with China, saying he will try his best to boost bilateral cooperation in trade and economy, tourism, and culture.

Pena called on the legislative bodies of the two countries to increase exchanges and enhance cooperation.

The Mexican president arrived in Beijing Monday to attend the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting slated for Nov. 10-11.

His state visit to China concludes later Thursday.