Spanish King Juan Carlos I met in Madrid Tuesday senior Chinese leader Jia Qinglin on ways to further promote Sino-Spanish cooperation.

The king met with Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Royal Palace prior to the Chinese leader's departure for Portugal following a four-day official good-will visit to Spain.

During the meeting, Jia said terrorism, which is extremely harmful, has become the focus of the international community. The March 11 Madrid bombing has highlighted this point, while the latest hostage-taking incident in Russia again shocked the whole world, he added.

Jia said that the Chinese government opposes all forms of terrorism and condemns terrorism activities directed at innocent civilians.

He also said China is willing to cooperate closely with all countries, including Spain, to push the international anti-terrorism struggle forward.

The Spanish economy has registered a fairly rapid development for recent years, with its growth rate topping the European Union members, Jia said.

Spain is playing an increasingly important role in international and regional affairs, Jia noted, saying that the Chinese government has steadfastly attached great importance to its development of friendly ties with Spain.

He expressed his belief that the Sino-Spanish friendship and cooperation will achieve more progress with the joint efforts by the two sides.

King Juan Carlos I said that China has a long history and culture, and it has undergone great changes in its socio-economy in recent years.

Spain and China enjoy good relationship, but there is still much potential to be tapped in terms of bilateral cooperation, the king said.

He hoped that the two countries would further deepen and expand friendly cooperation in a variety of fields.

The king stressed that the Chinese stance on the fight against terrorism is very important, and all countries should strengthen cooperation in this respect.

During his stay in Spain, Jia also met separately with Javier Rojo, president of the Spanish Senate, and Manuel Marin, president of the Spanish Congress of Deputies, on ways to further enhance bilateral ties, especially parliamentary contacts and exchanges.

Spain is the third leg of Jia's four-nation tour, which has taken him to the Republic of Korea and Austria, and will take him to Portugal.

After the meeting with the king, Jia left Madrid for Portugal.

(Xinhua News Agency September 8, 2004)