In a bid to bolster political and economic relations, Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Minister Roberto Velasco traveled to Beijing for his inaugural official visit, where he met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The dialogue centered on enhancing exchanges in various sectors, including politics, economy, culture, and academia, with a mutual commitment to respect, equal sovereignty, and non-interference as guiding principles.
A significant aspect of Velasco’s visit was addressing the trade tensions that have been simmering between the two nations. Earlier this year, Mexico instituted higher tariffs on imports from countries lacking free-trade agreements, impacting China with duties soaring up to 50% in several sectors. While China has expressed concerns over these measures, Mexico maintains that the tariffs are not targeted at any specific nation. Both countries discussed reinforcing their political consultation mechanisms to ensure ongoing communication and to seek tangible agreements in areas such as health, education, scholarships, science, technology, environmental protection, rural development, and cultural exchanges.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of cooperation in multilateral forums such as the G20 and APEC. Velasco expressed appreciation for China’s upcoming role as host of the APEC leaders’ summit in Shenzhen, scheduled for November. This gathering is anticipated to serve as another platform for strengthening ties and collaboration between Mexico and China.
Cultural exchange emerged as another focal point of the discussions, exemplified by a major exhibition of Mexican archaeological and artistic works slated to be displayed at the Shanghai Museum. Velasco’s visit will further include the opening of Mexico’s consulate in Chongqing, symbolizing a commitment to deepening bilateral connections.