The initiative, contained in a bill submitted by Mexico's government to Congress, seeks to assuage US President Donald Trump -- who has repeatedly urged trading partners to increase duties on China -- while also bolstering its own industrial sector.

The White House has said Chinese producers are abusing a free-trade deal between the United States, Mexico and Canada to send goods northward over the Mexican border tariff-free.

If the bill is approved, light vehicle imports from China will be subject to a 50 percent tariff, and auto parts between 10 and 50 percent.

"China... firmly opposes any coercion by others to impose restrictions on China under various pretexts, which undermines China's legitimate rights and interests," foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a regular news briefing, in a veiled reference to the United States.

"We will resolutely safeguard our interests in accordance with actual circumstances," Lin said.

"China attaches great importance to the development of China-Mexico relations, and hopes that Mexico will move forward in the same direction with China," he added.