Foreign and Military Affairs

Chinese vice-premier meets Spanish premiere

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-04-13 21:56

BEIJING- Chinese Vice-premier Li Keqiang met on Tuesday with Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. The two sides pledged to further enhance bilateral relations.

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Li said the world's economic recovery is at a critical period and is facing increasing unstable and uncertain elements. All countries should join hands to deal with the challenges.

Spain is an important economy of Europe, and the two countries should strengthen coordination and communication on international affairs, jointly promote the reform of international financial system and global economic management mechanism, and oppose protectionism in any forms, Li said.

Zapatero said that he appreciated China's assistance to Spain in coping with the international financial crisis, noting Spain will consolidate its traditional friendship with China, strengthen exchanges and cooperation, and promote a further development of the Spain-China relations and the Europe-China relations.

Li also briefed the guests of China's economic development and the 12th Five-Year Plan.

China is speeding up the transformation of economic development mode and expanding domestic demand. China will work with Spain to deepen cooperation in all areas and create better environment for mutual investment and trade, the vice premier said.

Li also discussed with Spanish entrepreneurs on the sidelines of the meeting.

Zapatero, who arrived in Beijing earlier Tuesday, also met with Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday afternoon. He will fly to the southern Chinese island of Hainan for the Boao Forum for Asia, an annual conference of government officials, business leaders and academics.