Mexican governors seek to deepen commercial ties with China

A delegation of Mexican governors announced Friday that they will visit China from Sunday to Friday in a bid to deepen commercial ties, especially on foreign trade, infrastructure, investment and financing.

Graco Ramirez, president of Mexico's National Conference of Governors and governor of the central state of Morelos, said the China trip had several goals, including the creation of an agroindustrial supply chain between both countries and a tourism development plan as well as securing better access to the Chinese market for Mexican agricultural goods.

"There is a great potential to attract Chinese tourists for long stays for high-cost activities," he told reporters.

According to Ramirez, Mexico has seen an increasing number of Chinese tourists since it became an approved destination for Chinese tourists in 2005. In 2016, the estimated number of Chinese tourists was 100,000, triple that seen at the start of the decade.

The governors will also seek to set up protocols to help Chinese-made parts enter Mexico's automotive, electronics and aerospace supply chains, Ramirez said.

Ramirez added that Mexico would encourage Chinese participation in a number of important projects, such as the modernization of the ports of Lazaro Cardenas and Chiapas, the construction of an inter-oceanic link for gas and railway transportation, as well as the modernization of airports and highways.

The delegation will visit Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai to meet with local business community.

Ramirez said the governors decided to diversify Mexico's trade relations as the United States is trying to reverse the current trade deficit with Mexico, its third largest trading partner.

For the governor, China's economic power and its vast commercial market represent an opportunity Mexico cannot miss. "We must broaden our horizons. This is a great opportunity to no longer only depend on the United States."

Source: Xinuha