MEXICO CITY - President Xi Jinping arrived here Tuesday for a three-day state visit aimed at lifting China-Mexico ties to a higher level.

Xi's plane touched down at the Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City, where Mexican Foreign Minister Jose Antonio Meade Kuribrena was on hand to greet the Chinese president and his wife Peng Liyuan.

The Chinese leader is scheduled to hold talks with his Mexican counterpart Enrique Pena Nieto, who visited China and met Xi two months ago, on bilateral cooperation.

Xi is also expected to meet parliamentary leaders of Mexico to exchange views on bilateral issues.

During Xi's visit, the two countries will sign a series of cooperation deals in such areas as economy, trade and academics, and issue a joint statement, according to Chinese diplomats.

In a written statement released upon his arrival at the airport, Xi conveyed the Chinese people's sincere greetings and best wishes to the Mexican people.

He said the traditional friendship between China and Mexico dates back to ancient times, adding that the two countries have already become key cooperative partners for each other in the world.

To comprehensively deepen China-Mexico strategic partnership conforms to the practical and long-term interest of the two countries and peoples, helps promote solidarity and cooperation among developing nations, and is conducive to world peace, stability and development, Xi said.

"I expect to have in-depth exchanges with President Enrique Pena Nieto and other leaders of Mexico on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern so as to deepen trust, expand cooperation and enhance friendship," Xi said.

China-Mexico relations have been developing at a fast pace since the two countries became strategic partners in 2003. They have maintained frequent high-level exchanges and deepened political mutual trust.

China is Mexico's second largest trading partner, while Mexico is China's second biggest in Latin America. Last year, the two-way trade stood at $36.7 billion.

Bilateral cooperation has also expanded continuously in the sectors of culture, education, science and technology, and tourism in recent years.

Both as major developing countries, China and Mexico have coordinated well on international affairs within the frameworks of the United Nations, the G20, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

Xi arrived in Mexico after a state visit to Costa Rica, his second stop on a three-nation Lain America tour. Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla and Foreign Minister Enrique Castillo saw Xi off at the airport upon his departure from San Jose.

Mexico is the last leg of Xi's three-nation Latin America tour, which started with Trinidad and Tobago. From Mexico, he will fly to the US state of California to meet with US President Barack Obama.

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