Mexico City, Jun 5 (IANS/EFE): Mexico hopes to forge a "comprehensive strategic association" with China, President Enrique Peña Nieto said here Tuesday during a ceremony to welcome Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

"Your presence in Mexico will allow content to be given to the new phase of cooperation between (our) nations," Peña Nieto told Xi.

"China and Mexico must take advantage of their complimentary elements and recognize themselves as great allies," added the Mexican president.

This is the second time that Peña Nieto and Xi have met, the first time being in April when the Mexican leader visited China to participate in an international economic forum.

"Mexico and China are two countries on the rise within a new international order," said Peña Nieto.

He also said that the two nations, who established diplomatic ties in 1972, aspire to "broaden and balance their commercial relationship and increase their reciprocal investments".

In response, Xi paid tribute to the "hardworking and courageous" Mexican people and emphasized the "natural affinity" the two countries have due to their ancient civilizations and the struggle for independence.

He emphasized Mexico and China's "tight coordination on global matters" and said that, as "great partners", the two nations share the common objective of economic development.