By Li Xiaokun (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-11-27 08:48

The China-Spain Forum in Madrid this week will help entrepreneurs from the two countries establish closer ties and share the experience of exploring the global market, the Spanish ambassador to China said yesterday.

"Spanish enterprises have rich operation experience in Latin America, the US and the European Union (EU), while Chinese companies are more experienced in Asian and African markets," Carlos Blasco said.

The two-day forum starts today, and its economics committee will discuss how to use these experiences for a fruitful cooperation, he said.

About 600 officials and entrepreneurs from China and Spain will attend the forum to discuss a wide range of topics, including inter-city cooperation, environmental protection, development of cultural industry and cooperation in the sport industry before the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"This forum will have delegates from the governments and enterprises, as well as non-governmental entities. It's a good opportunity for the two peoples to know each other," Blasco said.

Referring to the agreement on Spain exporting pork to China - signed during crown prince Felipe de Borbon's visit to Beijing earlier this month -the ambassador said: "The huge demand has led to a sharp rise in pork price in China. On the other hand, Spain is the world's fourth largest pork producer. So the trade agreement is in both sides' interests."

Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu left for Madrid on Sunday, heading a business delegation to the forum.