Mexico and China: 45 years of diplomatic relations
- By Julián Ventura
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E-mail China Today, April 26, 2017
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Mexican Ambassador to China Julián Ventura (third right) visits the exhibition "Diego Rivera: Pride of Mexico" which opened in Beijing in October 2014. |
Mexico and China are both cultural powerhouses with millenary traditions. Cultural activities are an important bridge to bring our people closer together. In 2013 and 2014 the most prominent museums in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai hosted high-profile Mexican exhibitions such as "Diego Rivera: Mexico's Pride," "Mayas: The Language of Beauty," and "Mexico in Silver: History and Future." The Mayas' exhibition, inaugurated on November 2014 by Presidents Xi Jinping and Enrique Peña Nieto, received over 150,000 visitors in three months. In 2016, Mexico participated in the "Meet in Beijing" Arts Festival, "Art Beijing" Fair and the Visual Arts Festival. Exchanges will continue this year in the context of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Sustaining high quality educational systems is a priority for both nations. Language teaching has long been a valuable component of the relationship, and its importance will only grow in an interconnected world. In 1974 the first Chinese language students went to Mexico – the country with the largest Spanish speaking population – to learn at El Colegio de Mexico. Mexico has today more Confucius Institutes than any other country in Latin America. Every year 80 students from both countries receive scholarships to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate programs, as well as specialized courses. Two top Mexican universities, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the Technological Institute of Superior Studies of Monterrey (ITESM) have a well-established presence in China. In March, the second Forum of Chinese-Mexican Heads of Universities was held in Beijing, allowing the intensification of contacts between institutions of higher learning.
In the field of science and technology the countries have sought to update their cooperation in line with their respective economic and social changes. In 2015, for the first time, China and Mexico issued a call for joint research projects in areas such as clean energy, biotechnology, agriculture, aerospace engineering, water resources, environment, and health. This is an unprecedented step that illustrates the depth of the relationship.
Mexico and China also work together within international fora, such as the United Nations, G20, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Our strong political dialogue allows us to actively participate in the construction of solutions to address global challenges, such as climate change, and to promote common objectives, such as international cooperation for development.
To consolidate achievements and constantly deepen cooperation requires hard work and a clear vision. Mexico and China have laid out a common road map, which will continue to yield fruits for the benefit of our peoples.
Julián Ventura is Ambassador of Mexico to the People's Republic of China.
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