China, Spain pledge to deepen comprehensive strategic partnership

BEIJING: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Spain’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Jose Manuel Albares Bueno on Wednesday in Hangzhou, with both sides pledging to advance the China-Spain comprehensive strategic partnership.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the two countries’ development strategies are highly compatible and have yielded fruitful results.

Marking the 20th anniversary of the China-Spain comprehensive strategic partnership, Wang called the occasion a timely opportunity to upgrade bilateral ties.

He urged both sides to build on the momentum, implement the consensus reached by the two leaders, and advance high-level exchanges with a long-term and strategic perspective.

He said China welcomes Spanish companies to seize the opportunities of China’s vast market, expand investment, and take part in the country’s green and digital transformation.

Wang also called for deeper exchanges in education, culture and tourism, noting that China is ready to extend visa-free entry for Spanish citizens.

Both countries, as major civilizations, should jointly uphold multilateralism, safeguard the UN-centered international system, and contribute to building a fairer and more equitable global governance framework.

Wang also highlighted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the European Union, describing the partnership as a model of win-win cooperation.

Under current circumstances, China and the EU should uphold dialogue and mutual respect to jointly tackle global challenges, he added, expressing hope that Spain would play a constructive role in fostering sound and steady China-EU ties.

Albares said bilateral relations have developed steadily over the past two decades, delivering tangible benefits to both sides. He reaffirmed Spain’s firm commitment to the one-China policy and said that King Felipe VI’s upcoming state visit to China will mark an important milestone in the bilateral relationship.

He also praised China’s role in addressing global challenges such as climate change and safeguarding world peace, and voiced Spain’s readiness to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, culture, education, and tourism.

Spain supports the four major global initiatives proposed by China, which align with Spain’s vision of peace and multilateralism.

Dialogue and cooperation between Europe and China, he added, serve the interests of both sides, and Spain is ready to play a constructive role in this regard.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern, including the Ukraine crisis and the Middle East peace process.