In a bid to enhance political and economic relations, Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Minister Roberto Velasco embarked on his inaugural official visit to China, meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. This visit comes against the backdrop of existing trade tensions between the two nations. The primary focus of their discussions was on broadening the scope of political, economic, cultural, and academic exchanges, with a strong emphasis on mutual respect, equal sovereignty, and non-interference.
During their meeting, both parties expressed a desire to fortify the political consultation mechanism between their respective foreign ministries. This step aims to ensure regular communication and facilitate concrete agreements. Mexico has identified several key areas for potential collaboration, including health, education, scholarships, science and technology, environmental protection, rural development, and cultural exchanges. Despite these collaborative intentions, trade tensions remain a significant issue, especially after Mexico introduced higher tariffs on imports from countries lacking free-trade agreements, China included, with some duties reaching up to 50%. While Beijing has raised concerns over these measures, Mexico insists they are not targeted at any specific nation.
Velasco also underscored the importance of cooperation between Mexico and China within multilateral platforms such as the G20 and APEC. He expressed appreciation for China’s upcoming role as the host of the APEC leaders’ summit, scheduled to take place in Shenzhen in November. This highlights the ongoing diplomatic engagements in larger international forums, demonstrating Mexico’s commitment to fostering positive relations with China.
Cultural collaboration featured prominently in the discussions. Plans were made for a significant exhibition of Mexican archaeological and artistic works at the Shanghai Museum, showcasing Mexico’s rich cultural heritage. Furthermore, Velasco’s itinerary includes the inauguration of Mexico’s consulate in Chongqing, marking another step in strengthening diplomatic ties between the two countries.