On February 19, 2024, local time, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón held a meeting with Wang Yi, a Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, who was visiting Madrid.

During the meeting, Wang Yi emphasized the significance of China and Spain commemorating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations establishment last year. He highlighted the successful bilateral exchanges and strategic development perspectives reviewed by the leaders of both countries. At this new juncture, Wang Yi expressed China’s readiness to collaborate with Spain based on mutual trust, respect, equality, and win-win cooperation, aiming to achieve another fruitful 50 years of bilateral relations. As comprehensive strategic partners with considerable international influence, China and Spain should demonstrate a sense of responsibility and contribute to global stability amidst the current volatile international landscape.

Furthermore, Wang Yi elaborated on the extensive discussions he had with Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno on the previous Sunday, where both sides reached broad agreements, reaffirmed the positioning of the China-Spain comprehensive strategic partnership, and pledged to support each other’s core interests. China is committed to maintaining high-level exchanges with Spain, aligning development strategies, fostering mutually beneficial cooperation, and enhancing people-to-people and cultural exchanges to elevate bilateral relations to new heights.

Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón acknowledged the close and significant high-level exchanges between Spain and China, which have greatly contributed to bilateral relations. He underscored Spain’s strong commitment to its comprehensive strategic partnership with China and commended China’s efforts to facilitate economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between the two countries. Spain expressed readiness to further explore cooperation potential with China and appreciated China’s support for Spain’s territorial integrity while reaffirming its adherence to the one-China policy. Spain highly values China’s constructive role in international affairs, its contributions to global growth, and its support for EU-China relations. In the face of global challenges, both the EU and China should uphold the central role of the United Nations to promote peace, stability, and global governance improvement.

Wang Yi stressed China’s view of the EU as a significant force in the multipolar world and expressed support for European integration, development, growth, and strategic independence. Through strengthened solidarity and cooperation between China and Europe, bloc confrontation can be avoided. Wang Yi emphasized the interconnected interests and shared future among countries in a global village. China is committed to working with Europe to uphold the free trade system, practice multilateralism, and advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization, aiming to create a better future for all humanity.