Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning Photo: fmprc.gov.cn

China and Mexico are good friends that trust each other and good partners seeking common development. Imports from China have played an important role in boosting the development of Mexico's manufacturing industry and improving its competitiveness in foreign trade, and brought about tangible benefit to the Mexican people, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, said on Tuesday.

Mao made the remarks at a regular press conference, responding to a media question about Mexican President Sheinbaum's remarks that the idea that Chinese products are entering the United States and Canada through Mexico is false. Mexican government will show to the US and Canadian governments that Chinese products are not entering the two countries through Mexico, and that they enter through all channels in terms of trade. She also noted that they have a plan with the aim of substituting these imports that come from China, and producing the majority of them in Mexico.

Mao stressed that China carries out trade cooperation with other countries in accordance with international rules and market principles, and mutual benefit is a defining feature of such cooperation. "We always believe that politicizing economic issues serves no one's interest."

Mao emphasized that maintaining steady and sound economic and trade ties meets the common aspirations of both China and Mexico and serves the long-term interests of all sides. 

China stands ready to work with Mexico to uphold the sound momentum of our bilateral trade and economic cooperation to boost the development of both countries, said Mao.

Chinese investments have significantly accelerated the development of Mexico's transportation infrastructure, manufacturing, telecommunications, as well as traditional and clean energy sectors, Zhang Run, the Chinese Ambassador to Mexico, said in a signed article published on Mexican media on October 16.

In the first 10 months of 2024, trade between China and Mexico totaled 652.8 billion yuan ($90.19 billion), marking a year-on-year increase of 11.7 percent, according to data from the General Administration of Customs of China.

In 2023, bilateral trade amounted to $100.2 billion. China's major exports to Mexico included electronic components, kitchenware, and automotive parts, according to statistics released by the foreign ministry in October.

"China's investments and trade in the Mexican market are rooted in Mexico's domestic needs, delivering substantial benefits including job creation, economic and social development, as well as support for industrial restructuring and upgrading," Zhou Zhiwei, a Latin America expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Zhou said that China's exports to and investments in Mexico have grown increasingly diversified, spanning sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and electric vehicles. "This collaboration is rooted in supply-and-demand alignment, fostering a mutually beneficial partnership."