Chinese vice president's visit shows Latin American importance

Facts and figures about Chinese vice president's foreign tour

Xi's visit to Latin America, accompanied by several vice ministers and other high-ranking officials as well as bank chiefs and other businessmen, showcased China's interest in the region, Arsovska said in an interview with Chinese media.

He said high level visits between Mexico and China served as a driving force that boosted bilateral cooperation and exchange.

"The visit of Vice President Xi is a clear manifestation of China's interest in strengthening the cooperative ties with Mexicoin political, economic, social and cultural life," Arsovska told Chinese media.

Arsovska, an expert on Asia and Africa studies, said this kind of visit also served as a platform to sign cooperation deals that are beneficial to both sides.

During Xi's visit in Mexico, cooperation agreements concerning economy, traditional medicine, culture and other fields have been inked, Arsovska said, vowing that "Mexico can and must take advantage of them to benefit its people."

Arsovska suggested Mexico to train, in a systematical manner, its people who could master the Chinese language and understand Chinese culture, so as to contribute to the mutual understanding, cooperation and exchange between the two countries.

Despite the friendly and close political dialogue between both governments, obstacles that usually frustrate China and Mexico are in the economic area, Arsovska said.

In the context of the global financial crisis, the solution of outstanding problems depends on concerted efforts, said the professor.

"The main thing to do is to jointly seek a mechanism to reduce the big trade imbalance between both countries," Arsovska said, adding that otherwise the umbrage of the Mexican business sector could grow along with the global crisis and damage the Sino-Mexico political dialogue, a long tradition between both countries.

According to Arsovska, the policy toward Latin America announced early this year by the Chinese government, was another proof of China's wish to consolidate the bilateral ties on the basis of mutual benefit.

"Being aware of the current situation and of the great political and economic importance of Latin America in the international environment, China manifests its strong wish to continue on the path of strategic cooperation with its Latin American partners," Arsovska said.