Xi eyes closer China-Spain cooperation

GRAN CANARIA, Spain - Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Thursday that his country stands ready to work with Spain to further push forward bilateral cooperation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Spain's Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria in Gran Canaria, Spain, Nov. 24, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

China-Spain relations have witnessed sound development, Xi said when meeting with Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria during a stopover in the Spanish island of Gran Canaria on his way back home after wrapping up a week-long Latin America tour.

Noting that the two countries are both at an important stage of development and reform, Xi pointed out that they enjoy broad prospects for their cooperation in such areas as trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.

China attaches great importance to China-Spain ties and is willing to work together with Spain to realize a sound, steady and sustained development of bilateral relations, Xi added.

China and Spain should keep close high-level exchanges so as to enhance mutual understanding and political trust, he suggested, while also calling for concerted efforts to boost practical cooperation and fully tap the potential for cooperation in such areas as agriculture, science and technology, clean energy and tourism.

China welcomes Spain's participation in mutually beneficial cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, he said, adding that the two countries should also beef up people-to-people exchanges so as to further consolidate the foundation of their friendship.

The Chinese president also stressed that boosting win-win cooperation between China and the European Union (EU) accords with the interests of both sides, and China firmly supports Europe's integration process.

China, he added, is committed to building a partnership of peace, growth, reform and civilization with the EU, and hopes that Spain will play a greater role in pushing forward China-EU relations in a sustained and steady way.

Agreeing with Xi's comments on bilateral ties, Saenz said Spain cherishes its traditional friendship with China and stands ready to work with China to maintain close high-level contact and deepen cooperation in fields such as economy, trade, finance, science and technology, and tourism.

The European country is also willing to join China in intensifying people-to-people exchanges and strengthening coordination on international affairs, Saenz said, while also conveying Spain's readiness to continue serving as a bridge for strengthening EU-China relations.

Xi flew to the Spanish island from Chile, the last leg of his three-nation Latin America tour, which also took him to Ecuador and Peru.