Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Mexico City Friday on his first official visit to Mexico since he took office in March.

 

In a written statement issued upon his arrival, Wen said the purpose of his visit is to enhance trust, expand understanding, deepen cooperation and seek mutual development of the two countries.

 

Wen expressed his confidence that his visit would help further promote the friendship between the two peoples and boost the development of all-around friendly and cooperative ties in the new century.

 

During his two-day visit, Wen is to hold talks with Mexican President Vicente Fox and meet Mexico's congressional leaders.

 

Wen arrived in Mexico City after a five-hour flight from Canada. Mexico is the third leg of his four-nation tour, which also took him to the United States early this week.

 

The Chinese premier will set out for Addis Ababa to pay a visit to Ethiopia. In the Ethiopian capital, he will also attend the opening ceremony of the second ministerial meeting of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum.

 

Wen was greeted at the airport by Mexican Vice Foreign Minister Enrique Berruga and Chinese ambassador to Mexico Ren Jingyu.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2003)