Mexican Ambassador to China Jesús Seade (right) and Qiu Xiaoqi, special representative of the Chinese government on Latin American affairs shake hands at the celebration after speeches in Beijing, on September 12, 2025. Photo: Dong Feng/GT

The Embassy of the United Mexican States in China hosted a celebration to commemorate the 215th anniversary of Mexican Independence in Beijing on September 12. Mexican Ambassador to China Jesús Seade highlighted strong bonds of friendship that unite Mexico and China. He also performed the traditional "Cry of Independence."

In his keynote speech, Ambassador Seade said that bilateral friendship transcends circumstances of the moment, with ties and exchanges that date back longer than the existence of both countries. 

"Maintaining our sovereignty and independence these past 215 years has not been easy. Mexico has suffered invasions, enormous territorial losses, threats, and pressures of all kinds. For this reason, Mexico upholds the fundamental principles that must guide nations in their relations: the sovereign equality of states, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and the constant pursuit of cooperation among nations," the ambassador said. 

Qiu Xiaoqi, special representative of the Chinese government on Latin American affairs, on behalf of the government of the People's Republic of China, extended his warm congratulations to the government and people of Mexico. Customs tariffs have become a tool for interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, seriously affecting world peace and development. "China and Mexico, which are important members of the Global South and developing countries with significant influence, are not afraid of hegemony and dare to fight," Qiu stressed.

China and Mexico are comprehensive strategic partners and good friends of win-win cooperation and common development. 

It has not been easy to achieve results of cooperation between the two countries in various fields, Qiu said, adding that the Chinese side is willing to work together with the Mexican sides to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, work together on the path of promoting modernization, and continuously enrich the content of the China-Mexico Comprehensive Strategic Partnership."

The Cry of Dolores 215 years ago highlighted the moral integrity and courage of the Mexican people. The policy of "coordination but not subordination" is an expression of the Mexican spirit as a developing power, Qiu noted. 

"Today, the century-long change facing the world is accelerating. Unilateralism and hegemony are shaking the international order. International law and norms are under threat," he said. 

Customs tariffs have become a tool for interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, seriously affecting world peace and development. "China and Mexico, which are important members of the Global South and developing countries with significant influence, are not afraid of hegemony and dare to fight," Qiu stressed.

"We must persevere in strategic autonomy, strengthen unity and coordination, safeguard common interests, firmly uphold international justice, speak out strongly in defense of the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, and make positive contributions to promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind," Qiu urged. 

The friendship between Mexico and China is old, and undoubtedly stronger than the circumstances of the moment, with ties and exchanges older than the existence of our current republics, Ambassador Seade affirmed. 

"Almost half a millennium ago, and for 250 years, from 1565 to 1815, the Manila Galleon - known in Mexico as the Nao de China - connected our peoples, with two massive transpacific crossings each year," he said.

The cultural influence of Mexico left by this history is still alive in China. For example, in its cuisine and the influence of China continue to live today in our crafts. And even in the DNA of many Mexicans, descendants of sailors of that time who once decided not to cross the vast Pacific Ocean a second time to return to their homelands - and probably also the other way around, the ambassador said. 

"For this reason, I hope that cooperation between Mexico and China will always continue to deepen. That alongside our political, commercial, and investment relations, we will see more academic studies on Mexico by Chinese academics, more exchanges between our students, more technical cooperation to resolve social challenges such as water resource management, and cooperation to develop the industries of the future, more cultural exchanges, and without a doubt, more tourism," the ambassador shared his outlook. 

Moreover, Ambassador Seade extended his invitation to the Chinese visitors to experience firsthand Mexico's diverse tourist offerings and to take advantage of the upcoming Mexico Tourism Fair in China, from September 25-26 in Beijing.