Beijing, Apr 15 (EFE).- China highlighted on Wednesday the «mutual trust» with Spain, describing the country as a «reliable partner» after the official visit of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, during which both parties agreed to strengthen the strategic dialogue and expand cooperation in different areas.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a press conference that the visit, Sánchez’s fourth in four years, was a «complete success» and allowed the leaders of both countries to have deep and friendly exchanges, in which they reached «new important consensus.»
According to the spokesperson, both sides agreed to establish a strategic dialogue mechanism at the diplomatic level and strengthen communication to consolidate and improve the stability of the bilateral relationship.
Guo also stressed the agreement between Beijing and Madrid on international issues and noted that both countries advocate «safeguarding multilateralism» and international law, in the face of open conflicts and tensions in different global scenarios.
In this regard, he highlighted the shared willingness to strengthen coordination in the face of current challenges and to play a constructive role in the international community.
The spokesperson added that both sides believe that greater cooperation between China and Europe not only benefits both sides, but also contributes to global stability, and expressed his country’s willingness for Spain to play an active role in the relationship between Beijing and the European Union (EU).
On the economic front, Guo said that both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in areas such as trade, education, agriculture, science and technology, as well as advance in sectors such as energy, the digital economy and innovation, and added that China was willing to import more Spanish products and encourage investment by its companies in Spain to expand trade exchanges and industrial cooperation.
The visit, Sánchez’s fourth to China in four years and the first with official status, had a marked economic focus, with the aim of facilitating the access of Spanish products to the Chinese market and reducing a trade deficit that the leader himself described as «unsustainable.»
The trip also highlighted the harmony between the two countries on international issues and served to raise the level of bilateral dialogue, at a time when Spain aspires to strengthen the role of the EU in its relationship with China. EFE
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