Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard today concluded his two-day visit to the People's Republic of China. While in Beijing, he met with senior officials and took part in a business seminar to boost trade and investment.
The foreign secretary met with State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi. They conducted an extensive review of the bilateral agenda, and agreed to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2013.
The two officials agreed to draw up a roadmap for the next five years to guide their efforts to ensure that the economic relationship reaches its full potential and to enhance cooperation in education, science and technology, innovation and culture. Foreign Minister Wang accepted Foreign Secretary Ebrard's invitation to visit Mexico to co-chair the 7th meeting of the Mexico-China Binational Commission on a date to be determined.
They agreed on the importance of working together to address the major global challenges, such as climate change, strengthening the multilateral organizations, and supporting a rules-based international system. They compared notes on the G20 Summit that was held over the past weekend in Osaka and in which they both participated. In addition, the foreign ministers discussed regional and global issues including the Pacific Alliance in Latin America and the upcoming meeting of the China-CELAC Ministerial Forum.
On the morning of his second day in Beijing, Foreign Secretary Ebrard met with Commerce Minister Zhong Shan. The two officials highlighted the growing importance of the economic relationship and the benefits associated with improving the linkages between value chains.
The Mexican delegation pointed out that there are opportunities in Mexico for Chinese investment in dynamic sectors such as advanced manufacturing, electric mobility, e-commerce, online services, logistics and tourism, and underscored the benefits that would come from gaining a broader and more agile access to the Chinese market for agrifood and manufactured exports. The two ministers also discussed the fact that Mexico will be participating in the China International Import Expo (CIIE) to be held in Shanghai this coming November.
Secretary Ebrard and Minister Zhong agreed to give impetus to holding the next meetings of the Mexico-China High-level Business Group and the high-level group between Mexico's Economy Ministry and China's Commerce Ministry. On this visit to China, the Economy Ministry was represented by the head of its Global Economic Intelligence Unit, Sergio Silva Castañeda.
