Jiang: China Happy with Ties with Mexico

China is pleased with its ties with Mexico and believes wide-ranging bilateral cooperation would score greater progress in the new century through concerted efforts, President Jiang Zemin said in Auckland on September 12.

　　During a meeting with Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon, Jiang said since the establishment of diplomatic ties, political, economic, trade, scientific and technological, and cultural cooperation between the two countries has been developing smoothly. "I'm very happy with this momentum," Jiang said.

　　Elaborating China's viewpoints on the Asian financial crisis, Jiang said although China has paid a great deal for that crisis, it still refuses to devalue its currency Renminbi in order to safeguard the financial stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world as a whole.

　　At the same time, he went on, China has adopted a pro-active financial policy and expanded domestic demand, which have pushed the country's sustainable economic development.

　　Jiang spoke highly of Mexico's effective handling of the financial turbulence in Latin America which occurred before the Asian financial crisis.

　　He also briefed on China's stance on its entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO).

　　During the meeting, Zedillo said his 1996 visit to China and Jiang's 1997 Mexico tour have served to enhance relations between the two nations.

　　He congratulated on China's continuous development under Jiang' s leadership, despite the Asian financial crisis.

　　Praising China's positive and irreplaceable role in reviving and promoting Asia's economic progress, Zedillo said Mexico will continue to support China's entry into the WTO.

　　The two leaders are here to attend the seventh informal meeting of leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. (Xinhua)