Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd R) and his wife Peng Liyuan (1st R), together with visiting Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto (2nd L) and his wife Angelica Rivera, pose for a photo in Sanya, South China's Hainan province, April 6, 2013. Xi on Saturday held talks with his Mexican counterpart Pena Nieto in Sanya. Pena Nieto is paying a state visit to China. He will also attend this year's Boao Forum for Asia, which will open on Sunday in Hainan.[Photo/Xinhua]

SANYA - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday held talks with his Mexican counterpart Enrique Pena Nieto in the southern Chinese city of Sanya.

Xi looked back on his visit to Mexico four years ago and said Mexico is playing an important role in international and regional affairs.

He expressed his best wishes for Mexico's further development.

Pena Nieto voiced his willingness to deepen the friendship between Mexico and China and said that is the reason he visited China shortly after he took office as president.

The development of Mexico-China ties is vital for the Mexican government, he said, adding that he also hopes to establish an amicable personal friendship with President Xi.

Pena Nieto is paying a state visit to China. He will also attend this year's Boao Forum for Asia, which will open on Sunday, in south China's Hainan Province.