President sets the stage for progress in talks with foreign leaders

Spain

Felipe VI, king of Spain

China and Spain should make full use of the China-Europe rail service that connects Yiwu, an important commodities center in East China, with Madrid, President Xi told Spanish King Felipe VI on Friday, while welcoming Spain to participate in building the Belt and Road.

Emphasizing that China pays a great deal of attention to Sino-Spanish relations, Xi said he appreciates the Spanish royal family's firm support for developing relations with China.

The two countries should make joint efforts to upgrade their comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level to benefit the people of both sides, he said.

The president called on both countries to strengthen high-level exchanges and firmly support each other's core interests and major concerns.

The two countries should connect their development strategies and deepen cooperation in such areas as finance, telecommunications, renewable resources, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, aviation and aerospace, he said.

Xi called for joint efforts with Spain to push economic globalization toward developing in the direction of being more open, inclusive, beneficial and balanced.

China firmly supports the process of European integration, Xi said. China hopes Spain will continue to play a positive role in the European Union by contributing to the health and steady development of China-EU relations.

King Felipe VI expressed willingness to strengthen the two countries' political trust, deepen high-level exchanges and also enhance practical cooperation in all areas with China.

The Belt and Road Initiative will play an important role in promoting global economic growth, the king said.

He added that Spain hopes to enhance cooperation with China in infrastructure and energy under the Belt and Road framework.

anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn