Highlights of Chinese vice president's foreign tour

BEIJING, Feb. 10 (Chinese media) -- The following are highlights of Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping's ongoing tour abroad on Monday (local time).

MEXICO CITY -- Xi arrived here on Monday afternoon, kicking off his official visit to Mexico.

In a written address upon his arrival, Xi said China was confident in a bright future for China-Mexico friendship.

He expected his visit to promote friendship, consensus, cooperation and development between the two sides.

NANDI, Fiji-- Xi met here Monday afternoon with Fijian President Josefa Iloilo as Xi made a transit stop in Fiji on his way to start his official visits to Mexico, Jamaica, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and Malta. The trip will continue until Feb. 22.

When meeting with Iloilo, Xi sympathized with him on the recent flood in the island country that caused widespread devastation and forced thousands of people to flee their homes.

Iloilo, for his part, hailed the smooth development of bilateral ties, saying the two countries have enjoyed a traditional friendship.

NANDI, Fiji-- Xi met here Monday afternoon with Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, prime minister of Fiji's interim government.

During the talks, Xi expressed wishes to further enhance, together with the Fijian side, exchanges and cooperation in such fields as culture, education, public health and tourism.

After the talks, the two sides signed a number of cooperative deals in which China will provide the Fijian interim government with economic and technical assistance. Xi and Bainimarama attended the signing ceremony.