Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao meets with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero in Ziguangge, Zhongnanhai in Beijing

On August 31, 2010, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero in Ziguangge, Zhongnanhai.

China and Spain have joined hands to meet challenges and achieved positive results in coping with the international financial crisis through improved high-level communication and consultations at all levels, Wen said. He noted that China hopes to work with Spain to take further measures and promote sustained and balanced growth of bilateral trade and two-way investment. China and Spain should jointly maintain the stability of the EU and the world financial markets and boost the confidence of the international community in the EU economy and euro, Wen said. He also expressed hope that China and Spain will closely coordinate and cooperate in the G20, stand firmly against protectionism and jointly push forward the reform of the international financial system.

Wen said the development of China-Spain relations reflects the spirit of mutual respect, staying in the same boat to overcome difficulties and mutual benefit. He said the growth of bilateral ties is in the basic interests of both countries and conducive to enhancing mutual understanding and trust between China and EU. Wen said the two countries should adhere to this right direction and adopt an overall and long-term view to continuously advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Spain and between China and the EU.

Zapatero said maintaining the stability of the Spanish and European financial markets is critical to the stability and growth of the global economy. He thanked China for its prompt assistance to Spain and the European Union. Zapatero expressed Spain's hope for deeper bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, culture and tourism. He also expressed readiness to further promote strategic cooperation between the EU and China by pushing for an early resolution to the major issues in EU-China relations in a bid to push Spain-China, EU-China comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi attended the meeting.