The third meeting of China-Spain forum, a high-level institution set by the two countries, is to be held in Shanghai from March 21-22, focusing on facilitating bilateral trade cooperation, sources said Sunday.

 

Nearly 200 representatives from the two countries' relevant ministries and local governments will join the two-day meeting, with the theme of all-round cooperation and mutual benefits.

 

Chen Haosu, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), told Xinhua the participants will discuss ways to deepen China-Spain cooperation in various fields, and especially the trade and economic field.

 

The forum was established in July 2003 as a non-official, high-level institution composed of four committees of economy, politics, culture and education. The forum holds its annual meeting in China and Spain in turn.

 

The Chinese Chairman of the forum is now Hu Qili, a former vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and the Spanish Chairman is Juan Antonio Samaranch, honorary president of the International Olympic Committee.

 

The two chairmen and Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos will address the opening ceremony of the meeting, Chen said.

 

"The upcoming meeting added two committees of local government and law, aimed at promoting bilateral cooperation in an all-round way." Chen said.

 

Participants are expected to discuss cooperation in the fields of common interests such as energy, tourism and environmental protection. A China-Spain entrepreneurs' summit is to be held on the sidelines of the meeting, Chen said.

 

"The two sides will also share experience on holding the Olympic Games." Chen said, expressing his hope that the China-Spain forum would promote smooth development of bilateral ties.

 

The first and second meetings of the forum were held in Beijing and Barcelona in December 2003 and November 2004, respectively.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2006)