Spain and China agree to strengthen economic, cultural and scientific-technological cooperation

Both countries have signed a Diplomatic Strategic Dialogue Mechanism, which will provide Spain with an instrument similar to those already in place in countries like France and Germany.

Great Hall of the People, Beijing (China)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, attend the signing ceremony of agreements (Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, was received with military honours by the Chinese Premier, Li Qiang, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. During the meeting, nineteen agreements were signed, including a Diplomatic Strategic Dialogue Mechanism, with the aim of strengthening cooperation between Spain and China in the economic, cultural, and scientific-technological fields.

President Sánchez conveyed to the Chinese Premier the importance for Spain of ensuring that Chinese investments in the country are accompanied by the development of technological capabilities and knowledge, as well as the strengthening of the Spanish productive sector, integration into local value chains, and the creation of local jobs.

Trade and cooperation agreements

Based on this approach, the Diplomatic Strategic Dialogue Mechanism will facilitate communication by providing regularity and planning capacity to high-level meetings between the two countries. The dialogue will be led by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and will allow Spain to have an instrument similar to those already in place in other major European Union countries such as France and Germany.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, together with the Premier of China, Li Qiang | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig

With the aim of balancing the economic and trade relationship, agreements have been signed for economic development and the promotion of trade and investment. In particular, in the agri-food sector, protocols have been formalised that expand Spanish exports, incorporating new authorised products-such as pistachios, dried figs, pork protein, and certain fertilisers-strengthening the protection of geographical indications, and establishing mechanisms for health cooperation against avian influenza.

Furthermore, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed to promote cooperation in the area of sustainable transport and its infrastructure.

Deepening exchanges in education, culture, and science is another priority of the visit. In this vein, Spain and China have agreed to collaborate on the development of joint campuses for teaching and university research activities, as well as joint participation in projects between the National Archaeological Museum and the National Museum of China, and an agreement for cooperation in the forestry and biodiversity sectors.

Given that China is a member of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) consortium, President Sánchez expressed his willingness to host this 30-meter diameter telescope on the island of La Palma, which would allow for the exploration of the Universe with an unprecedented level of detail.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, holds a meeting with the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Zhao Leji | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

The President of the Government of Spain also met in the afternoon with the third-highest authority in the country, Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. During the meeting, they discussed the excellent state of relations between Spain and China, as reflected in the signing of the aforementioned agreements. This cooperation also extends to the cultural sphere, and both highlighted the value of the two Cervantes Institutes in China and the seven Confucius Institutes, along with the Confucius Classrooms, in Spain.

Non official translation

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