Senior Chinese official Wu Guanzheng met in Madrid Wednesday afternoon with Spain's President of the Senate Javier Rojo on further enhancing bilateral cooperation.

 

Wu, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), spoke highly of the Sino-Spanish relations during the meeting, saying that the bilateral ties are developing smoothly, with frequent exchanges of high-level visits and ever-deepening of cooperation between the two countries.

 

Wu, who arrived here Tuesday for a two-day visit at the invitation of the Spanish government, said that the Chinese government attaches great importance to its ties with Spain, taking it as an important partner in the European Union.

 

He expressed the hope to further promote the all-round Sino-Spanish strategic partnership through concerted efforts by both sides, so as to enhance China-Europe cooperation of mutual benefit in various fields.

 

The Chinese official spoke highly of the inter-parliamentary ties between the two sides, expressing his hope that the two countries' parliaments further strengthen exchanges and cooperation.

 

Rojo said the Spanish parliament and government regard developing the friendly relations with China as a priority, believing great potentials exist in the cooperation of mutual benefit in politics, culture, trade and economy and trade. He said the Spanish side will continue to take various measures to strengthen bilateral exchanges and promote friendship between the two sides.

 

Rojo also said the Spanish senate is willing to further deepen the friendly exchanges with China's National People's Congress, and make its own contribution to promote the Spain-China friendship.

 

During the meeting, Wu briefed Rojo on China's socio-economic situation and its drive to build a socialist and harmonious society.

 

After winding up his tour of Spain on Thursday, Wu will proceed to visit Cuba, Chile and Colombia.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 19, 2007)