Forum: China and Mexico seek further cooperation and youth exchanges

Faced with a growing belief within the the United States that erecting barriers against other countries will put it back on the path of development, China is continuing to uphold its opening-up strategy and international cooperation based on the pursuit of mutually beneficial outcomes. “This is truly encouraging,” said Guillermo Espinosa, a Chinese language professor at the National Polytechnic Institute in Mexico, during the 2025 China-Mexico Cooperation and Development Forum held alongside China's annual Two Sessions. 

Themed Hand in Hand, Building a Better Future Together, the forum was held simultaneously in Beijing and Mexico City on March 7 Beijing time. It was jointly organized by China International Communications Group (CICG) Center for the Americas, Intercontinental University of Mexico, and the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) Social and Cultural Research Center of the Minzu University of China, with support from the China International Book Trading Corp. 

Attendees engaged in discussions on topics such as exploring modernization development paths together, opportunities and future of China-Mexico cooperation in response to global changes, and how Chinese and Mexican youth can contribute to shaping a fairer and more just international order. 

Holding the China-Mexico Cooperation and Development Forum during China’s annual Two Sessions serves to build consensus and provide intellectual support for the high-quality development of China-Mexico and China-LAC relations, said Wang Ning, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the CICG Center for the Americas, which publishes Beijing Review and China Hoy. This, in turn, holds practical value for deepening China-Mexico friendship and cooperation in the context of the rapidly changing global landscape, he added.  

The Two Sessions usually held in March are the annual meetings of China's top legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), and the top political advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). During the Two Sessions, NPC deputies and CPPCC National Committee members from various sectors all over the county are engaging in deep discussions and providing advice on advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through a Chinese path to modernization. 

Zhu Jian, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim at the Embassy of China in Mexico, said that the Two Sessions are a vivid representation of China’s whole-process people’s democracy and serve as an important window for the world to observe and understand China.   

The international community looks forward to the Two Sessions sending more signals of high-level openness, driving global technological innovation and green transformation through the development of new productive forces, and injecting stability and progress into the world, Zhu said. As many insightful figures in Mexico have pointed out, the stability of China’s economy is crucial to global markets and the policies emerging from the Two Sessions will further enhance investor confidence, he added.  

Against the backdrop of China’s Two Sessions, there is a greater need to reflect on Mexico's path to modernization and to draw lessons from China’s experience in order to further improve development policies, said Jesús Omar Juárez, a scholar of business and international relations at the Intercontinental University in Mexico. This, he emphasized, calls for more dialogue between the two nations. There are many potential areas for cooperation between China and Mexico, and only through joint efforts and enhanced collaboration can the full potential of these cooperative projects be realized, he added.  

Bringing certainty to the world  

This year is the final year of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period. The economic growth targets and national economic work arrangements outlined in the government work report, delivered at opening of the NPC session, not only represent the “report card” for the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan but also serve as a blueprint for planning the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), said Wang Ning. 

He noted that China’s focus on high-quality development and stable economic growth offers increased opportunities for the international community, including Mexico, and provides greater certainty for pragmatic China-Mexico cooperation.   

China and Mexico share similar approaches to governance and development strategy, said Wang Xinming, Counsellor of the Latin American and Caribbean Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. He said he believes that by strengthening exchange on governance experience and aligning national development strategies, both countries can work together to foster the bright future of China-Mexico cooperation and deliver tangible benefits to their peoples.  

Eduardo Roldan, former Consul General of Mexico in China’s Hong Kong, noted that China’s achievements are the result of its strong emphasis on education and technological innovation, as well as its commitment to integrating these advancements into social development. 

“The policies and efforts China has consistently made in areas such as educational investment, economic openness and independent innovation have not only supported China's rise to the center of the global stage but have also made contributions to the world,” said Roldan.   

As a professor of Chinese language at the National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico, Guillermo Espinoza, said that through his Chinese language classes, students have the opportunity to engage with and better understand many aspects of Chinese culture and society.   

Today, China is leading the world in development. “All the major advancements that could fundamentally change society are happening in China,” he noted, citing examples of the large-scale production and use of electric vehicles, robotics and automation, the widespread application of artificial intelligence tools, quantum computing, autonomous driving, blockchain and the extensive use of renewable energy. “China is writing the latest chapters of these advancements.”   

“By helping university students gain a deeper understanding of China, we can promote cultural and social exchange between China and Mexico, and encourage both sides to work together to achieve shared goals,” said Espinoza. In his view, China-Mexico relations can—and should—become even closer and more fruitful than they are now.  

Responding to the changing world  

The world is experiencing rapid and unprecedented changes, with a complex and unpredictable international environment. Regional conflicts, unilateralism and trade protectionism are negatively affecting global economic growth and globalization. 

Antonio Portilla, Education and International Cooperation Affairs Manager at the Mexican Embassy in China, said that in today’s world, cooperation, dialogue and mutual understanding remain guiding lights for the future. Based on this consensus, although China and Mexico are separated by vast distances, both nations firmly believe that cooperation is the bridge to development and the link that transcends geographical boundaries.   

The China-Mexico relationship has established a solid framework for multidimensional exchange, ranging from political dialogue and economic trade to cultural, artistic, educational and technological cooperation. These mechanisms continue to strengthen the friendship between the peoples of both countries and deepen mutual understanding, said Portilla. Looking ahead, China and Mexico should maintain the principles of mutual benefit and joint development, focusing on pragmatic actions that can generate lasting benefits, he added.  

Chargé d'Affaires ad interim Zhu said that in the current international context, where chaos and uncertainty prevail, and with the shadow of tariff and trade wars looming, China and Mexico need to move forward together, seize cooperation opportunities, and support each other in their respective modernization processes. The two countries must strengthen strategic mutual trust and implement the important consensus reached during the meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo in November 2024.   

Zhu further pointed that the two countries should solidify the win-win framework, promote high-quality alignment of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative with Mexico’s development strategy, and work to better benefit the two peoples. Furthermore, they should explore new cooperation opportunities in fields such as artificial intelligence and clean energy, enhance cultural ties through art exhibitions, joint celebrations and academic exchanges, and strengthen multilateral collaboration. “By applying strategic determination and wisdom, China and Mexico can contribute to global governance, demonstrating their shared commitment to international fairness and justice,” Zhu said.  

Juárez said China-Mexico cooperation faces many opportunities and challenges. Both countries are committed to promoting sustainable development, technological innovation and the growth of renewable energy. They also share the goal of establishing a fairer international order, better safeguarding the interests of developing nations, and creating a more balanced and peaceful world—this is the shared vision of China and Mexico. Both nations are strong advocates of multilateralism and hope that both the countries and their youth will strengthen cooperation and dialogue to achieve this common vision.  

Francisco Martínez, an editor at Channel 6 TV in Mexico, said that against the backdrop of the new U.S. administration’s extreme policies, Mexico’s economy and trade need to diversify, and strengthening cooperation with China is a crucial strategic choice. “While some countries, especially the U.S., advocate for trade wars and tariffs, China emphasizes openness and mutual benefit, which presents a stark contrast,” Martínez remarked. “As media, we have an obligation to report more on China and provide better public opinion to foster closer cooperation between China and Mexico.” She believes that China’s advocacy for each country to choose its own development path based on its national conditions is a valuable lesson and something worth learning from.  

Playing the role of young people 

The forum also discussed how Chinese and Mexican youth can contribute to shaping a fairer and more reasonable international order. Wang Ning shared that in recent years, the CICG Center for Americas has hosted several international youth exchange activities. These include bringing international youth to China to participate in events such as the Future Close-Up and the DiscoverChina: Brazilian Cultural Figures’ Tour, as well as organizing events abroad, like the China-Peru Youth Cultural Exchange Forum in Peru and the release of the China-Brazil Gen Z Mutual Cultural Awareness Survey Report in Brazil. “These initiatives have provided a platform for international youth from various civilizations, countries and fields, including LAC youth, to exchange ideas and learn from one another,” he said.   

Wang Ning emphasized that Chinese and Mexican youth are the future and hope of the two countries’ friendly relations. They must embrace their mission and responsibility, actively safeguard the diversity of world civilizations, promote shared human values, foster cultural exchanges, and contribute their youthful energy to the development of China-Mexico friendship and the building of a China-LAC community of shared future. 

Portilla said that the hundreds of collaborative projects between Chinese and Mexican universities, research institutions and think tanks have allowed Mexican students and scholars to work alongside their Chinese counterparts, becoming the best ambassadors of friendship between the two nations. “Investing in people, especially in the education and development of youth, is the wisest investment for the future,” he said.  

Hugo Antonio Avendaño Contreras, Rector of Intercontinental University in Mexico, stated that the younger generation carries a significant responsibility and has an extraordinary opportunity to pass on the treasures of civilization through academic dialogue and cultural exchange. He emphasized that China and Mexico must promote bilateral exchange programs that allow students from both countries not only to appreciate traditional cultures but also to understand current challenges and opportunities. To deepen the outcomes of cooperation, the rector stressed the urgent need to establish long-term platforms for educational collaboration, promote inter-university cooperation in building joint research centers, improve bilateral scholarship mechanisms and strengthen institutional networks.  

Youth are a crucial force in China-Mexico cultural exchange and represent the new generation that will strengthen the future of friendly relations, said Zhang Qingren, Director of the Latin American and Caribbean Social and Cultural Research Center at Minzu University of China. He noted that the Mexican film Coco was immensely popular in China a few years ago, and more recently, the Chinese movie Nezha 2 has gained attention in Mexico, with its themes of family, responsibility and personal growth resonating with many Mexican viewers.  

Zhang emphasized that the cultural ties between China and Mexico not only serve as a bridge between the two peoples but also play a vital role in promoting global multicultural coexistence and development. He sees a bright future for cultural exchange between the two countries, noting significant potential for cooperation in education, the arts and people-to-people exchange. As bilateral relations continue to deepen, cultural exchange will provide a solid foundation for future economic cooperation and stronger support for global governance. 

Zhou Xiaozhou, Director of the International Exchange Office at China Youth University of Political Studies, suggested that youth engage more, as true understanding comes from firsthand experience; communicate more, as genuine emotional connections lead to resonance; and collaborate more, as synchronizing efforts will align their destinies. “True emotional connections among youth can transcend geographical barriers and cultural differences, achieving a resonance of hearts and minds,” Zhou said. In her view, only by establishing a network for dialogue and cooperation among youth can China and LAC truly realize their shared path to development. 

The forum also launched a series of research reports titled Together Through Storms, Building a China-LAC Community of Shared Future: Path of Practice and Future Outlook, produced through a collaboration between Chinese and LAC think tanks.   

The year 2024 is the 10th anniversary of the proposal to build the China-LAC Community of Shared Future, and 2025 is the 10th anniversary of the official operation of the China-CELAC Forum.   

Against this backdrop, experts and scholars from various think tanks and research institutions, including the CICG Center for the Americas, the Institute of Latin American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Asia Research Center at the San Marcos National University in Peru, the BRICS Studies Center (NuBRICS) at the Federal Fluminense University in Brazil, the Economic and Social Research Center in Mexico, the School of Government at the University of Development in Chile, the International China-Latin America and Caribbean Research Institute at the National Congress University in Argentina, and the Latin American Studies Center at Southwest University of Science and Technology, conducted research on the collaborative efforts between China and LAC countries over the past decade.  

The reports summarize achievements, assess the future outlook for China-LAC cooperation and offer recommendations. The report is divided into two parts: one covering overall China-LAC cooperation and the other focusing on bilateral cooperation. It is published in Chinese, Spanish and Portuguese.  

The forum also released a special issue of China Hoy magazine commemorating the 65th anniversary of the Spanish-language monthly. It was first published in 1960, and in 2004, a LAC branch was established in Mexico to facilitate local printing and circulation of the magazine. Today, China Hoy has become an important window for LAC readers to understand China and has made significant contributions to enhancing the mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of China and LAC countries.  

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson  

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