Li Qiang Holds Talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón
2023-03-31 23:00

On the morning of March 31, 2023, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council held talks in the Great Hall of the People with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón on his official visit to China.

Li Qiang said that Spain is a major country of the European Union (EU), and plays a positive and important role in regional and international affairs. China is ready to work with Spain to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity, to constantly deepen friendship, expand cooperation across the board, and engage in close multilateral coordination, so as to jointly push for a new development of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries and make positive contribution to world economic recovery and growth.

Li Qiang said that China and Spain should consolidate political mutual trust, increase exchanges and communication, and create synergy between their respective development strategies. China appreciates Spain for its long-term commitment to the one-China policy. The two countries are both promoters and beneficiaries of multilateralism and globalization, and should take a clear-cut stand against unilateralism and protectionism, jointly safeguard the international order and international system with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter as the core, and jointly defend stable and unimpeded industrial and supply chains. China is ready to work with Spain to develop trade and investment, strengthen industrial alignment, foster such new growth sources of cooperation as new energy and advanced materials, and deepen Belt and Road cooperation. More Spanish enterprises are welcome to invest and do business in China, and it is hoped that Spain will continue to provide Chinese enterprises with a fair, just and non-discriminatory market environment. Both sides should focus on the China-Spain Year of Culture and Tourism to host rich and colorful events of cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Li Qiang said that Spain is a trustworthy partner of China in the EU. A steady China-EU relationship serves the interests of the two sides, and is conducive to the solidarity of the international community in response to challenges. China always firmly supports European integration and strategic autonomy, and both sides should strengthen communication and coordination, follow the attitude of respect and equality to engage in exchanges and dialogue, seek common ground while shelving differences, be well prepared for the China-EU leaders’ meeting this year, ensure the success of high-level dialogue in various fields, enhance complement of respective advantages, and jointly foster such new growth engines of cooperation as digital economy, green and environmental conservation, and artificial intelligence. China stands ready to work with the EU to adhere to true multilateralism, reject bloc confrontation and a new Cold War, and join hands to safeguard world peace and stability.

Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón said that Spain views China as an important strategic cooperative partner, and hopes to further enhance bilateral exchanges and dialogue in the post-pandemic era to strive for greater development of Spain-China relations. Spain is ready to work with China to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity, to deepen cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, investment, culture, education and tourism, and achieve mutual benefits and win-win outcomes. EU-China relations are very important, and both sides enjoy tremendous opportunities for cooperation. Spain supports the EU and China in strengthening exchanges and cooperation, and will give a strong boost to this endeavor during the rotating EU Presidency in the second half of this year. Spain and the EU are both firmly committed to the one-China policy.

After the talks, Li Qiang and Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón jointly witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents in such fields as education, customs, and sports.

Before the talks, Li Qiang held a welcome ceremony for Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Qin Gang, among others, attended the events.

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