On October 25, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao met at the Great Hall of the People with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who is here for the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

Hu said China and Spain are traditionally friendly nations. The establishment of bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership in 2005 marked that the ties have entered a new stage of development. Both sides have witnessed frequent high-level contacts, increasing political trust, considerable growth of trade volume in successive years and pragmatic cooperation in all areas, with telecommunications, finance and renewable resources becoming new highlights of cooperation. The successes of the Year of Spain and the Chinese Arts Festival helped deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, said Hu. China appreciates Spain’s efforts to promote China-EU relations, he added.

Zapatero said Spain and China share a profound friendship and their cooperation is constructive. Spain attaches great importance to ties with China and is dedicated to keeping high-level exchanges, expanding trade cooperation and enhancing coordination in international financial crisis, climate change and other major issues. Spain is willing to continue contributing to EU-China relations.