Xi Meets Spanish PM in Bali

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Indonesia's Bali Tuesday afternoon.

Noting that China and Spain will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2023, Xi said the two countries have achieved healthy development of bilateral relations over nearly half a century by upholding mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. He expressed the Chinese side's good will of working together with Spain to elevate the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level.

Xi underlined that the two countries need to increase high-level exchanges and top-level planning, and strengthen mutual trust. The two sides need to show mutual understanding and support on issues regarding each other's core interests and major concerns such as sovereignty, security, development and dignity, he pointed out, adding that the two sides should also make good preparations for the year of China-Spain culture and tourism events in 2023 to promote China-Spain friendship among the people.

Xi called for the two sides to vigorously promote practical cooperation. China welcomes more Spanish businesses and products to enter its market, and expects Spain to provide fair, just, transparent and non-discriminatory treatment for Chinese enterprises in its market, he said.

China is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with Spain on G20 and other multilateral platforms to jointly address challenges such as climate change, as well as energy and food security, Xi told the Spanish prime minister, and expressed China's hope for Spain to play an active role in promoting the healthy and stable development of China-Europe relations.

On his part, Sanchez said he fully agrees with Chinese president's advocation of solidarity and inclusiveness at the G20 summit, calling China a stabilizing force for the international order.

The Spanish prime minister noted that bilateral cooperation has achieved fruitful results in nearly 50 years since the two countries established diplomatic ties, expressing Spanish's intention to take the celebration of the 50th anniversary as an opportunity to further develop the Spain-China comprehensive strategic partnership.

Spain is willing to increase high level exchanges with China, promote exchanges and cooperation in a range of fields, and provide more convenience for Chinese companies, according to Sanchez. He also said Spain is willing to actively promote dialogue and cooperation between Europe and China in various fields.