Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao says his nation and Mexico are on course to finalize an alliance strengthening their bilateral ties.
Mr. Wen on Saturday wrapped up a two-day visit to Mexico City where he met with President Vicente Fox and local businessmen.
Mr. Wen and Mr. Fox said at the end of the Chinese leader's visit that they were laying out plans for a strategic alliance. Nothing yet has been signed.
The visit comes amidst complaints by Mexico that it is being inundated by Chinese contraband products and undercut by low-priced Chinese goods. Mexican clothing industry officials say 58 percent of the product sold in Mexico is illegally imported, mostly from China.
Mr. Fox has said in the past that China should be seen as an opportunity and not a threat.