(a)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law except Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 16649.80) of Part 2 of Division 4 of Title 2, any state or local public retirement system may invest, subject to and consistent with the standard for prudent investment set forth in Section 17 of Article XVI of the California Constitution, its assets in the bonds or other evidences of indebtedness unconditionally guaranteed by any foreign government that has met the payments of similar bonds or other evidences of indebtedness when due.
(b)
A portion of the assets invested pursuant to this section may be used to purchase rated or unrated bonds, notes, or other instruments unconditionally guaranteed by Canada, Israel, Mexico, or South Africa.