China's Chongqing marks friendship with Mexico

People enjoy the night view at a bar in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Dec. 8, 2021. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

CHONGQING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality launched light shows on its landmark buildings on Monday evening for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Mexico.

The screens of the city's 10 landmark buildings lit up at 7 p.m. in colors including green, white and red, with some signature Mexican images like cactuses in their backgrounds.

As a Mexican who came to Chongqing a decade ago, Julio Cruz was excited to see his "second hometown" in China decorated in his country's colors.

"I am glad to see stronger relations growing from the cooperation between China and Mexico," said Cruz, who was one of the first Mexican students to study in the city.

In 2021, the trade volume between Chongqing and Mexico reached around 14 billion yuan (about 2.2 billion U.S. dollars), up 6.1 percent year on year.

"In recent years, the two sides have witnessed continuous progress in the fields of trade and economy, manufacturing, culture, and education," said Wang Wen, director of the foreign affairs office of Chongqing municipal government.