Chongqing - Mexico officially inaugurated its new consulate in Chongqing on Monday, with the unveiling ceremony held in Beijing and a video-linked sub-venue in the southwestern Chinese municipality.
The event was addressed by Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco Álvarez, Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Cai Wei, Chongqing Vice Mayor Huang Maojun, and Mexican Ambassador to China Jesús Seade. Minister Counselor Enrique Escamilla joined via video link from the Chongqing sub-venue.
Chongqing sub-venue, Yuzhong District, for the inauguration of the Mexican Consulate in Chongqing, September 7, 2026. (Photo/Tang Anbing)
The new consulate, Mexico's fourth consular post in China, will cover the consular district of Chongqing, Sichuan and Hubei. An official opening ceremony will be held at a later date.
Historical Ties and Growing Cooperation
In his remarks, Ambassador Seade highlighted a special historical bond between Chongqing and Mexico. In 1942, Mexico established a diplomatic office in Chongqing, which was elevated to embassy status the following year. "There is no better way to understand each other than by communicating closely," Seade said.
Foreign Minister Velasco noted that the consulate "will contribute to strengthening bilateral relations and facilitating greater engagement with actors in the region," adding that Chongqing "represents in an exceptional way the energy, capacity for transformation, innovation and future vision of contemporary China."
Trade Ties Strengthen
Bilateral trade between Chongqing and Mexico exceeded 19.2 billion yuan (approximately US$2.7 billion) in 2025. Chongqing-made products, including automobiles, motorcycles, electronic information goods and general machinery, are well-received in the Mexican market. Mexico has become Chongqing's leading trading partner in Latin America.
The consulate opening marks Mexico's first new consular representation in China in two decades, joining its embassy in Beijing and consulates general in Guangzhou, Shanghai and Hong Kong.