On October 26, President Jiang Zemin, who was attending the 10th Informal Leaders' Meeting of APEC in Los Cabos, Mexico, met with President Vicente Fox of Mexico, which is the host country of the meeting. The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and international issues of common concern.

Fox, on behalf of the Mexican government and people, extended a warm welcome to Jiang for his attending of the Informal Leaders' Meeting of APEC. He said that China is a big country with great influence, and plays an active role in international affairs. Jiang's presence at the meeting is a great support to the success of this year's Informal Leaders' Meeting of APEC. He expressed sincere gratitude.

Jiang recalled his visit to Mexico five years ago with pleasure. He said that he was greatly impressed with the splendid history and culture, the warm and hospitable people and the great economic achievements in Mexico, and the memory is still fresh. He is pleased to come to the beautiful seaside resort of Los Cabos to attend the Informal Leaders' Meeting of APEC and meet with the Mexican president.

Jiang said that Mexico played an important leadership role in hosting this year's Informal Leaders' Meeting of APEC and congratulated Mexico. The Chinese side will actively support relevant work of the Mexican side and expressed the belief that the leaders' meeting will be a complete success.

Jiang said that since China and Mexico established diplomatic ties 30 years ago, their relations have been developing smoothly, with enhanced mutual political trust and increased exchanges and cooperation in economic, trade, cultural, scientific-technological and other fields. China and Mexico, both major developing countries in the world, have common interests in a wide range of international affairs, and have cooperated closely. We would like to join hands with Mexico in promoting comprehensive development of Sino-Mexican relations of friendly cooperation in an in-depth and sustained manner.

Jiang pointed out that Mexico is one of China's major economic and trade cooperation partners in Latin America and that their bilateral trade has developed rapidly. In addition, the two countries' economic cooperation has expanded to a wide range of areas,with mutual investment rising annually. We would like to further deepen bilateral economic cooperation and trade on the basis of equality and mutual benefits.

Fox said that Mexico attaches great importance to its relations with China, and hopes to further strengthen economic and trade exchanges with China. He said that Mexico views China as a cooperation partner instead of a competitor. Therefore, the two countries should work hard to tap potential for the development of bilateral relations and should consult with each other closely to coordinate their positions in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.

The two presidents also exchanged views on counter-terrorism and the issue of Iraq.