China warns against ‘third party’ interference after reports of US pressure on Mexico

Relations between China and Mexico should not be influenced by outside powers, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday, following reports the United States was pressuring its neighbour over its ties to Beijing.

“China-Mexico relations are not directed at any third party, nor should they be influenced by any third party,” Wang told his Mexican counterpart Roberto Velasco Alvarez.

He added that China supported Mexico in maintaining its independence, safeguarding its sovereignty and security and opposing external interference, according to the foreign ministry.

Velasco, making his first official visit to Beijing since taking office in April, said both nations had a shared respect for sovereignty and equality.

He added that Mexico was willing to strengthen high-level exchanges, advance bilateral mechanisms and deepen pragmatic cooperation, according to the Chinese statement.

“I hope that today we can identify new areas of understanding and cooperation between our nations, for the benefit of our people, and lay the foundations for a joint work agenda for the coming years,” Velasco said, according to Mexico’s N+ news agency.

Velasco also said Mexico would host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum in 2028, an event that he described as “a historic opportunity” to project Mexico’s leadership as a bridge between the Americas and Asia, according to the report.