During a meeting on Monday, Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji and Spanish Crown Prince Felipe De Borbon Y Grecia said they both attach importance to developing bilateral ties.

China believes there is great potential for more cooperation with Spain, Zhu was quoted as saying by a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman.

According to Prince Felipe, the Spanish Government has recently drawn up a plan to develop ties with countries in the Asia-Pacific region and China has an important part in those proposals.

China and Spain established diplomatic ties in 1973. The Foreign Ministry spokesman said Zhu described the development of bilateral ties in recent years as "fine,'' and pointed out high-level visits, a rapid increase in trade, enhanced cultural exchanges and shared views on international issues.

Statistics from Chinese Customs indicate that by the end of last year, Spain had invested in 424 projects in China.

Later Monday, Prince Felipe met Chinese Vice-Premier Wu Bangguo.Prince Felipe arrived in Beijing Monday morning. He will also visit East China's commercial hub, Shanghai, and Northwest China's city of Xi'an during a six-day visit to country. This is the first China tour for the Crown Prince, who is remembered by many Chinese people for being a member of the Spanish team in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.

(China Daily 11/07/2000)