Foreign and Military Affairs

China-Spain ties increasingly mature

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-01-07 16:30

MADRID - Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang's latest visit to Spain boded increasingly mature and continuously deepening bilateral relations, China's ambassador to Spain said here Thursday.

"We believe Spain will overcome the current economic difficulties, and we, as one of Spain's best friends, will do our best to stick to our responsibilities and obligations," Ambassador Zhu Bangzao told a press conference.

Referring to the unprecedented $7.5 billion deals signed during Li's visit to Spain between January 4 and January 6, he said more bilateral cooperation with even higher values are expected, while urging both sides to facilitate and expand mutual investment.

To further boost the China-Spain comprehensive strategic partnership, both sides should focus on the following four aspects, the ambassador said.

First, frequent exchanges of high-level visits should be continued so as to further strengthen bilateral political trust and dispel misgiving.

Second, while maintaining a steady growth of bilateral trade in traditional areas, the two countries should further expand their cooperation in finance, telecom, infrastructure construction, renewable energy and tourism.

Third, exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, science and technology and media should be further enhanced to consolidate the people-to-people basis of China-Spain friendly relations.

And fourth, they should further strengthen collaboration within the frameworks of the United Nations and the Group of 20, and jointly play a positive role in promoting global peace and development.

China supports Spain's efforts to revitalize its economy, because the Europe as whole would suffer if the country is unable to walk out of the current economic mire, Zhu said.

The ambassador also highlighted the importance China has attached to the trilateral relations between China, Spain and the Latin America, given the similarities in culture and language of the latter two. He said he hopes the three parties to continue cooperation and tap into each other's strength to explore the third-party's market, so as to achieve a win-win situation for all.

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Madrid on Tuesday for a three-day official visit to Spain, the first leg of his three-country European tour.

Li's visit to Spain has fulfilled the expected goals and was a complete success, the ambassador said.