FMs Hold Talks to Boost Sino-Spain CooperationChina is willing to join hands with Spain to expand cooperation in all fields, said Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan Wednesday in talks with his Spanish counterpart Josep Pique.Pique is here to attend the Third ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting, scheduled on May 24-25. Tang said that the Sino-Spain friendly and cooperative relationship is developing smoothly, and leaders of the two countries have frequently exchanged visits and kept in constant contact in the past few years, playing an important role in developing the bilateral ties. The group of Spanish businessmen led by the foreign minister visiting China's western region and their efforts to explore business opportunities China's West Development are of great significance to expand trade and economic cooperation between China and Spain, Tang noted. Pique shared Tang's views on bilateral cooperation, and said that Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar's visit to China last year has pushed the bilateral ties up to a new stage. The cooperation in the economic, trade, technological and cultural fields has developed rapidly and yielded good results, Pique continued. Spain attaches great importance to China's position and influence and is willing to promote the bilateral ties, Pique said, and Spain has worked out an Asian plan with China at the core. The Spanish government supports and encourages Spanish businesses to participate in China's Tenth Five-Year Plan and Western Development, he said. The two sides also exchanged views on some major international issues of common concern. Prior to the talks, the two ministers met with Spanish businessmen who are accompanying Pique on his China visit. |
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