MEXICO CITY, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Mexico should strengthen its ties with China and court more Chinese investment to spur development, experts said on Thursday.

"China is in the process of transforming its economy," said Luis Rubio, president of the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations, "that's where new opportunities lie for Mexico."

He made the remarks during a presentation on China-Mexico relations at the China-Mexico Studies Center of the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

Rubio said that Mexico needs to prepare by planning ahead and learning more about China to make the most of stronger ties with the Asian country.

"I think we should take a moment to reflect on how the Chinese see us, and recognize the enormous ignorance that exists in political and economic circles," he said.

Eugenio Anguiano Roch, twice ambassador to China (in the 1970s and again in the 80s), also believed his country should strengthen relations with China in diverse areas, from trade to productive capacity, to make their comprehensive strategic partnership "more extensive and beneficial."

Mexico should also take advantage of China's willingness to work with Latin American countries as part of its Belt and Road Initiative to boost global infrastructure and international trade, he said.

China "will take the right path, not just to becoming the leading economic powerhouse, but also for the benefit (of) the rest of the world," said Anguiano.

Latin America and the Caribbean as a whole need to pursue greater cooperation with China "in a comprehensive way," he added.

Economist Jorge Eduardo Navarrete, who has served as ambassador to numerous countries, including China, described cooperation between the two countries as "indispensable."

"Mexico can take advantage of China's interest (in the region) and, departing from there, establish mechanisms that meet the needs ... of both nations equally," said Navarrete.