On the morning of July 11, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with his visiting Mexican counterpart Felipe Calderon Hinojosa at the Great Hall of the People. The two heads of state announced the establishment of a strategic dialogue mechanism and agreed to strengthen strategic dialogue and expand reciprocal cooperation to further long-term stable and healthy development of China-Mexico strategic partnership.

During the talks, Hu said the two peoples have shown mutual understanding, support and assistance in the time-honored history of friendly exchanges and have forged a profound friendship. Bilateral ties have shown a sound momentum of all-round, in-depth development in recent years with increasing exchanges at all levels including high-level contacts, deepening economic and trade cooperation and rapidly growing trade. The cooperation in other areas has witnessed continued expansion and enjoys broad prospect for development. Both sides have also conducted effective cooperation in international affairs. The development of bilateral ties has brought tangible benefits to both peoples, added Hu.

Calderon made positive comments on the achievements made in the development of bilateral ties. He said the two countries have shared stable political ties and maintained rapid growth of economic and trade cooperation. Bilateral trade volume has increased several times over since 2001, he noted. The Mexican people have gained tangible benefits from well-made Chinese goods at competitive prices and welcome more Chinese products to enter the Mexican market. Both countries have kept sound coordination and communication in the United Nations, the five developing countries and other international cooperation mechanisms and carried out effective cooperation to safeguard and promote interests of developing countries, said Calderon.

Hu pledged that China is ready to make joint efforts with Mexico in the following four aspects in order to push their strategic partnership to a higher level. First, both sides should strengthen political dialogue, maintain high-level contact, enhance bilateral exchanges in all areas and realize the action plan from 2006 to 2010 to inject new vitalities into in-depth development of strategic partnership. Second, both countries should boost win-win economic cooperation. The Chinese government encourages its enterprises to invest in Mexico's infrastructure including ports, roads, and hydroelectric stations, and supports mutually beneficial cooperation between businesses of the two countries on mining, communications, processing and assembling, agriculture and the fishing industry. Hu urged both sides to promote substantive cooperation in the overall field of energy resources including new energy and renewable energy and support mutual investment to advance sound development of bilateral trade. Third, the two sides should expand humanities exchanges. Hu suggested that both countries well implement cultural exchange projects, promote personnel exchanges between the educational departments, colleges and universities and scientific and research bodies of both sides and conduct academic contacts. Hu called on both sides to discuss the possibilities of cooperation in the fields of traditional medicine, disaster prevention and relief and social development and enhance contacts on human resources building, poverty relief studies and information sharing. Fourth, China and Mexico should steadily push forward multilateral cooperation and consultation on major international affairs so as to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries and contribute to world peace, stability and prosperity.

Calderon said Mexico will remain China's reliable partner in Latin America. With the development of the two countries, it is conducive to the common progress of both sides to strengthen China-Mexico strategic cooperation on economy, trade, humanities and international affairs. He suggested that both sides deepen cooperation in the field of investment, create conditions for two-way investment, and offer strong financial support for economic and trade cooperation. Mexico is ready to increase exports to China. Both sides should also strengthen cooperation on agriculture, environmental protection and renewable energy and jointly cope with global challenges in the fields of food and energy, added Calderon.

Hu expressed appreciation for the adherence of Mexico to the one-China policy as well as its understanding and support concerning the Taiwan and Tibet questions. He once again thanked for the condolences and sympathy extended and relief assistance offered by the Mexican government and people following the devastating earthquake that hit China's Sichuan province.

Calderon said Mexico admires the enormous achievements China has scored since its adoption of the reform and opening up policy three decades ago and is ready to learn from China's experience in this regard. He spoke highly of the disaster relief efforts by the Chinese government and people, pledging that his country is ready to actively participate in the reconstruction work of the quake-hit region. He also wished for a successful Beijing Olympic Games. Mexico will continue to adhere to the one-China policy and respects China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, added the Mexican president.

After talks, the two heads of state attended a signing ceremony of several bilateral cooperation documents including the agreement between the two countries for the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments.

Prior to the meeting, President Hu Jintao held a welcoming ceremony for Calderon's visit at the Central Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Sang Guowei, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Luo Fuhe, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Vice Chairperson of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party Central Committee Wang Jirong, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Minister of Commerce Chen Deming and Chinese Ambassador to Mexico Yin Hengmin attended the welcoming ceremony.