China, Spain to cement co-operation
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-11-16 06:36

China and Spain agreed on Tuesday to cement cooperation in economic and cultural fields as part of their efforts to push Sino-Spanish relations forward greatly.

The two countries will fully exploit the functions of the Sino-Spanish Mixed Committee of Commerce and Trade and try to enlarge two-way investment, said a joint communique released during Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Spain.

President Hu Jintao speaks at the Chinese-Spanish Business Summit in Madrid November 15, 2005. [Xinhua]

They pledged to support Chinese and Spanish enterprises to strengthen relations to promote dialogue and cooperation in various sectors such as the environment, energy, civil service, infrastructure, telecommunication, traffic, commerce, tourism and health care.

They expressed a willingness to tackle frictions and disputes through dialogue and consultation and beef up cooperation in other regions of the world, Latin America in particular.

The two countries said in the communique that they respected cultural differences and backed setting up a channel to enhance mutual knowledge and understanding, which is considered conducive to cultural exchange and cooperation.

They welcomed the agreement on setting up a Cervantes Institute in China and a Confucius College in Spain.

Spain will open cultural centers in China and vice versa, according to one of the 16 bilateral accords inked during Hu's visit.

The two countries are ready to realize the goal that China will hold the Year of Spain and Spain will host a Chinese art festival in 2007, said the communique.

Under the circumstances of economic globalization, education exchanges and cooperation have significant meanings for mutual understanding between the two peoples, especially between young generations.

They agreed to encourage contacts and exchanges between local governments, academic circles, press agencies and folk organizations as part of an effort to expand the social basis of bilateral ties.

They also supported the Sino-Spanish forum to become a suitable channel toward this end, according to the communique.

Spain is the third leg of Hu's four-nation European-Asian trip, which has already taken him to Britain and Germany.

Hu will visit South Korea and attend the Economic Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) slated for Nov. 18-19 in Busan.