China is willing to promote friendly cooperative ties with Mexico, Chinese top legislator Li Peng said in Beijing Thursday.

Li, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said in a meeting with Mexican President Vicente Fox that China is ready to join hands with Mexico to expand economic and trade cooperation, and to increase mutual investment.

As an influential power in Latin America, Mexico has made much progress in economic development, social stability and participation in economic globalization, Li said, adding that it plays an increasingly important role in regional and international affairs.

China is happy about this, and hopes that Mexico will make greater achievements in the future, said Li.

China and Mexico, both developing nations, are faced with the same tasks of accelerating economic development and raising their people's living standard, he said.

It serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples to consolidate and expand bilateral cooperation, Li stressed, saying China is satisfied with the current Sino-Mexican ties.

The top legislator also briefed the Mexican guests on the NPC mechanism, saying he hoped exchanges and cooperation between the parliaments of the two nations will be tightened.

During the meeting, Fox said Mexico pursues peace, and hopes to speed up its development in a peaceful environment.

China's success will by no means pose any threat to the world; instead, its rapid development will benefit not only Mexico, but the world as a whole, the president said.

He said Mexico is willing to collaborate with China in seeking new methods and areas to make bilateral cooperation even more fruitful so as to benefit the two peoples.

Jiang Chunyun, vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, was among those present at the meeting.

Fox arrived in the Chinese capital Wednesday for a four-day state visit as a guest of Chinese President Jiang Zemin.

(xinhua 06/08/2001)