China and Spain to develop relations further

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday China would like to summarize the experience of cooperation and chart the future development to make its relations with Spain healthier, more stable and vibrant.

He made the remarks when meeting with Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Manuel Albares on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Bali, Indonesia, as the next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Beijing and Madrid.

Wang said China cherished the mutual trust and friendship between the leaders of the two countries.

The sound and stable development of China-Spain relations had brought important interests to the two countries and contributed to the peace and development of the region and the world at large, he added.

Wang expressed China's willingness to work with Spain to organize well the 2023 China-Spain Year of Culture and Tourism to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Spain will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the second half of 2023.

Wang stressed that China is a builder, defender and beneficiary of the current international order and would support free trade with an open attitude and promote win-win cooperation.

The more China develops, the bigger the opportunities China will bring to the world, he added.

While underlining that China and the EU are partners instead of rivals, Wang said China hopes Spain could play its role as the rotating presidency to encourage the EU to view China's development in an objective light, and stay committed to developing a healthy and stable China-EU relationship.

Albares said Spain attached great importance to its ties with China and looked forward to co-hosting the celebrating activities of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year.

He hoped that the two countries could strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, adding his country expected to set up a Cervantes Institute in China.

He said Spain would continuously advance dialogue and cooperation between the EU and China. The EU and China could and must develop mutual beneficial relations which conform to the common interests of both sides, he added.