China, Spain pledge closer parliamentary ties

BEIJING - Top Chinese legislator Zhang Dejiang met with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in Beijing on Friday and both sides expressed willingness to boost parliamentary ties.

Zhang applauded the smooth development of the China-Spain relationship since they established diplomatic relations, especially in recent years while they coordinated with each other to counter the global financial crisis.

Bilateral ties have been further consolidated, said Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature.

During the meeting, Zhang discussed the "One belt, one road" strategy, referring to plans to revitalize the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road raised by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Zhang said the two countries should grasp the opportunities brought with the strategy to expand and deepen cooperation in pursuit of common development.

The NPC stands ready to boost friendly exchanges with the Spanish parliament to enhance political trust, create favorable environments for practical cooperation and lay a more solid foundation for the relationship between the two countries, said the top Chinese legislator.

Rajoy said Spain attaches great importance to the ties with China and he hopes the legislatures of the two countries will increase exchanges to enhance mutual understanding between the people and elevate the bilateral relationship.