Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio, who is currently on a China tour, attended a meeting Monday for publicity of the forum.

Forum organizers say the forum, a cooperation project decided by the government heads of the two countries in 2000, is set up to boost the two nations' bilateral exchanges in politics, economics, social culture and sports.

The forum was founded as a way to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the forging of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Hu Qili, former vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and Juan Antonio Samaranch, former president of the International Olympic Committee, will act as chairmen of the forum.

Hu said the forum's initiation was of special significance at a time marking the 30th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic ties, and their cooperation in politics, economics, science and technology, culture and sports had expanded.

Last year, China-Spain trade volume reached US$3.479 billion and Spain's actual investment in China increased 173 percent year-on-year to US$92.24 million, statistics from the Chinese side indicated.

Hu said the forum would provide a platform for personnel from the two sides who are dedicated to boost the two nations' political, economic, cultural, and sports exchanges and cooperation.

Samaranch expressed belief that the forum would bring the two nations even closer, pledging efforts for the forum's success.

Organizers said annual meetings would be held in China and Spain in turn to discuss issues of common concern, and the first meeting was scheduled in Beijing later this year.

(Xinhua News Agency July 8, 2003)