Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that only through solidarity and coordination can countries maintain world peace and stability, and promote global development and prosperity.
Xi made the remarks during a meeting with visiting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Friday.
He pointed out that transformation unseen in a century is accelerating across the world, with multiple risks and challenges piling up.
As the international situation becomes more complex and volatile, it is increasingly important for China and Spain to develop sound and stable relations, Xi said.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Spain.
President Xi said China is ready to work with Spain to build a more strategically resilient and dynamic comprehensive strategic partnership, to better serve the well-being of both peoples, inject impetus into China-EU relations, and make greater contributions to world peace, stability, and development.
Xi Jinping quoted the Chinese proverb: “Range far your eye over long vistas.”
He stressed that the China-Spain friendship is a wise choice made by the two peoples based on traditional friendship, practical needs, and long-term interests.
“Both sides should continue to consolidate the political foundation of mutual support, trust and respect each other, and support each other on issues concerning core interests and major concerns, especially in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he added.
China is ready to work with Spain to leverage their mutually beneficial and complementary cooperation advantages, make good use of the economic and technological cooperation mechanisms, tap the potential in areas such as new energy, high-tech manufacturing and smart cities, and produce more outcomes of mutually beneficial cooperation.
Both countries should uphold the traditional friendship of mutual understanding and affinity, carry forward the deep bond between the two peoples fostered through the Olympics and panda cooperation, create new signature programmes such as the “Happy Chinese New Year” event, and expand student exchanges to engage more young people in carrying forward the China-Spain friendship.
Xi mentioned that both China and Spain are positive supporters of multilateralism and open cooperation.
It is important for the two sides to work together to build a just and equitable global governance system, safeguard world peace and security, and promote common development and prosperity, added the Chinese president.
Xi Jinping also said that China always sees in the European Union an important pole in a multipolar world.
China is a major country that explicitly supports the unity, development, and growth of the EU.
In the current context, it is of great practical significance to strengthen the China-EU partnerships of peace, growth, reform, and civilisation.
China and the EU should see each other as partners and embrace open cooperation.
China would like to celebrate with the EU the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, build on past achievements, and move the relationship toward strategic stability and mutual success, so as to better benefit the peoples of both sides and the international community at large, Xi further added.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was also present at the meeting.