MEXICO CITY -- Top legislator, Zhang Dejiang, wrapped up Thursday a fruitful three-nation tour of Latin America that has contributed to promoting relations and cooperation between China and Latin America.

During his visit to Peru, Colombia and Mexico that started on Nov. 20, Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), underscored, together with leaders of the host countries, the importance of strengthening bilateral legislative cooperation and mutual exchanges in other fields.

MUTUAL RESPECT AND UNDERSTANDING

The visit by the chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC, the national legislature, aimed to boost common interests with mutual respect and understanding.

In Mexico, Zhang called on both countries to firmly support each other on affairs of common concern and expand reciprocal cooperation.

In political and economic fields, Zhang said the China-Mexico comprehensive strategic partnership should be consolidated on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and common development.

In Colombia, Zhang urged the two states' legislatures to share their experience in governance, including ways of maintaining social stability and promoting social justice.

Zhang called on Colombia and China to learn from one another's experiences in fighting terrorism and corruption, as well as to develop greater exchange and cooperation.

Chinese Ambassador to Peru Huang Minhui said Zhang's visit has helped to promote bilateral cooperation and exchange, and boosted the China-Latin America strategic partnership as well as global peace and justice.

CLOSER COOPERATION

While meeting local Chinese business leaders in Peru, Zhang suggested they explore and make use of all opportunities for expanding cooperation.

Economic ties should be strengthened on the basis of mutual benefit with an eye on boosting the relationship between China and Latin America, including Peru, he said.

In Colombia, Zhang highlighted the toughened friendly ties and practical cooperation between the two countries. He noted in Mexico that both countries are big developing countries and emerging economies with significant shared interests and a promising outlook in cooperation.

The two countries should work more closely on large infrastructure projects in energy and high technology areas, and on expanding exchange in education, science, technology and culture, to lift bilateral strategic cooperation to a higher level.

EXPANDING TRADE

China and Colombia scored a trade volume of 10.45 billion U.S. dollars in 2013, while in the first nine months of this year the bilateral trade surpassed 12 billion dollars, up 54.4 percent from one year earlier.

China is Peru's second-biggest trade partner, its biggest export market and second largest source of imports, with bilateral trade hitting 14.66 billion dollars in 2013, a 6.26 percent year-on-year rise.

As Mexico's second-biggest trade partner, China saw a bilateral trade of 39.2 billion dollars with it last year.

This year, China brought up a cooperation initiative with Latin America under a new formula, known as 1+3+6, which is designed to boost sustainable development for all parties.

The formula stands for a 2015-2019 cooperation plan with Latin America and the Caribbean, and addresses the three engines to drive cooperation -- trade, investment and finances -- and the six key sectors for the development of cooperation -- energy, infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, scientific and technological innovation and information technology.

The goal of the initiative is to promote interaction between Chinese and Latin American industries as a way to expand mutually beneficial cooperation.

HIGHLIGHTS OF VISIT

In Peru, Zhang met with Peruvian President Ollanta Humala. Both leaders underlined the rapid development of bilateral ties, which led to the signing of a free-trade agreement in 2009 and the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2013.

In Colombia,the second leg of his tour, Zhang exchanged views with President Juan Manuel Santos on ways of improving pragmatic collaboration.

Zhang appreciated Colombia's efforts to promote peace and end the long-term internal conflict in the country, and expressed gratitude to the Colombian side for its support for the one-China policy.

While meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, Zhang conveyed to him the greetings from President Xi Jinping.

China and Mexico, Zhang said, are currently cooperating closely on preparation for the upcoming first ministerial meeting between China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, which is to be held in Beijing next year.

Pena Nieto, who officially visited China two weeks ago, described his visit as a great success, saying that it helped to strengthen mutual trust and Mexico's determination to consolidate ties with China.

Mexico admires the "amazing achievements made by China," and hopes to learn from its experience and success, said the president.