Chinese FM Wang Yi's visit to Spain highlights bright prospects for open cooperation: spokesperson
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning held a regular news briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, making some remarks about foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Spain after a reporter asked her to comment.
Reporter:Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting Spain. King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez met with him respectively. Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation José Manuel Albares Bueno held talks and jointly met the press. This is Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s first visit after the Chinese New Year. What major outcomes has this visit achieved, and what role has it played in the development of the China-Spain relations?
Mao Ning:China and Spain are comprehensive strategic partners. Last year, the two countries marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez paid a successful visit to China. While meeting with Prime Minister Sánchez, President Xi Jinping proposed that the two countries advance a bilateral relationship with strategic focus. The two sides identified the good experience that has enabled the long-standing friendship between the two countries, which is a commitment to mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and made plans together for the growth of bilateral relations. Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Spain is his second visit to the country in six years. It is aimed to deliver the important common understandings between the leaders of the two countries and get the second 50 years of China-Spain diplomatic relations off to a good start. Spain received Foreign Minister Wang with great hospitality. The visit achieved its objectives and has been a full success.
The visit accentuated the strategic stability of China-Spain relations. No matter how the international situation changes, China and Spain have followed the tradition of mutual respect, mutual trust, equality and win-win cooperation, advanced bilateral relations with a steadfast policy of friendship, and supported each other on issues of core interests and major concerns. Having friendly relations with China is a consensus in Spain supported by the royal family, the government and the people. The two sides agreed to continue the momentum of high-level exchanges, cultivate friendship between Chinese and Spanish peoples, and give each other understanding and support on efforts to safeguard national unity and solidarity among ethnic groups. Spain reiterated its firm adherence to the one-China policy.
The visit highlighted the bright prospects for open cooperation. China and Spain have deepened economic and trade cooperation in recent years. China has become Spain’s largest trading partner outside the EU and the second largest consumer of its olive oil. Spain is China’s second largest source of imported pork. Chinese companies have actively participated in photovoltaic and wind power development in Spain, and expanded third-party market cooperation. During the visit, the two sides reiterated that they will adhere to open cooperation and promote a number of landmark and demonstrative projects in telecommunications, medical care, electric vehicles and green energy.
The visit served to deepen exchanges and mutual learning between the two civilizations.Both China and Spain are ancient civilizations with a time-honored history. Last year, the two sides launched the China-Spain Year of Culture and Tourism, which gave fresh boost to exchanges and mutual learning between the two civilizations. The two sides have been engaged in giant panda cooperation for more than 40 years. The giant pandas living in Spain have bred six cubs in recent years, more than anywhere else in Europe. Giant panda cooperation epitomizes the China-Spain and China-Europe friendship. The Spanish people warmly welcomed and expressed appreciation for China’s announcement that it will send a new pair of young pandas to Spain after the return of the panda family currently living in Spain whose agreement has expired.
The visit provides stability for China-Europe relations and the world.Spain is a major EU country. China and Spain share the same or similar views on major international and regional issues. Spain stressed that good relations with China are of great significance to Spain, Europe and the world, and spoke highly of President Xi Jinping’s important ideas such as building a community with a shared future for mankind and the Belt and Road Initiative. The two sides reiterated that they will work together to meet global challenges, promote the sound and stable development of China-Europe relations through China-Spain friendship, and provide a stronger force of stability for a volatile and turbulent world.
