China, Spain to enhance partnership

Documents signed cover economy, finance and telecommunications

China and Spain signed a number of cooperation documents on Wednesday covering areas such as economy, advanced materials, finance and telecommunications during President Xi Jinping's state visit to the European country.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Xi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Madrid after the two leaders had talks and reached a wide range of agreements.

The two countries also published a joint statement to enhance their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Since they established diplomatic ties 45 years ago, China and Spain have seen healthy and stable development of bilateral relations despite the changes in international relations, Xi said.

He spoke highly of Sanchez's dedication to developing Sino-Spanish relations and his support for jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative.

Xi said China always cherishes its traditional friendship with Spain, adding that it attaches importance to Madrid's significant influence on international affairs.

China wants to make joint efforts with Spain to enrich the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, promote cooperation in all areas, and set an example of cooperation between nations of different civilizations and social systems, Xi said.

He pointed out that the two countries should strengthen exchanges and cooperation between governmental and legislative authorities, deepen political mutual trust, and continue to support each other on issues related to core interests and major concerns.

China and Spain have historic and geographic advantages to enhance Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said, adding that the initiative should be connected with Spain's development strategies.

He said the two countries should increase trading exchanges and expand cooperation in areas including seaports, maritime transportation, airlines, new energy vehicles and finance.

They should also boost exchanges in culture, local government, tourism, media, health, protection of cultural relics and sports, Xi said.

China wants to continue communicating and coordinating with Spain on hot world and regional issues such as improving global governance and dealing with climate change, Xi added.

He said China supports the unification of Europe and that China and the continent should support each other in jointly maintaining international order and improving global governance.

China wants to enhance connectivity of the BRI with strategies adopted by the European Union to jointly promote the development and prosperity of Eurasia, Xi said.

Sanchez said Xi's state visit, the first by a Chinese head of state to Spain for 13 years, is of great significance.

He said his country wants to enhance political mutual trust with China and expand cooperation in all areas, adding that Spain also wants to proactively take part in building the BRI.

Spain firmly supports multilateralism and wants to enhance communication and coordination with China to promote the healthy and stable development of Sino-European relations, he added.

Xi also met with representatives from the China-Spain Business Advisory Council with Sanchez, and urged Spanish enterprises to make the best use of the public platform provided by the China International Import Expo to win more business opportunities. The six-day expo was held in Shanghai early this month.

He also said the business advisory council is an important platform to deepen bilateral economic and trade ties.

Developing a strong synergy between the two countries' strategies and realizing complementary advantages will help promote connectivity between Asia and Europe and push the global economy to develop in a more open, inclusive and balanced way, he said.