The Year of Spain 2007 sees intensified cooperation
King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofa of Spain are paying a six-day visit to China, seeking to promote activities related to the Year of Spain celebrations here.
Their trip, which began on June 24, spans the cities of Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan Province.
"Our two nations have forged an overall and healthy relation," said Carlos Blasco Villa, the ambassador of Spain to China.
"And their Majesties' active involvement in the events is expected to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations," he added.
Ambassador Blasco pointed out the frequent visits of Spanish royals and high-ranking governmental officials, such as Spanish Crown Prince Felipe's planned visit in November, illustrate the value his nation places on its ties with China.
2007 has been designated the Year of Spain in China according to the joint communiqu signed by the two countries during President Hu Jintao's visit to Spain in November 2005, and it is a key occasion for promoting Spain's presence here, Blasco noted.
The Year of Spain is an intensive and multifaceted event showcasing the charms of Spain. The Spanish government plans to launch about 250 activities this year, covering a wide range of Spanish art, culture, sports, education and economics.
Mutual understanding between the two peoples is imperative for steady and close ties between the nations, stressed Ambassador Villa.
"We hope such comprehensive exchanges will not only boom in 2007, but also continue in the years ahead."
Boosting economic exchange is a focus of the Year of Spain in China, according to Ambassador Villa.
The Spanish government's goal of providing a fresh impetus to bilateral trade and investment is well demonstrated by King Carlos' meetings with Chinese entrepreneurs in all three cities during his short stay in China.
Today, King Carlos addresses the second Sino-Spanish Business Summit in Beijing. A 250-member Spanish business delegation, the largest ever to visit China, is attending the event.
"Now, Spain's business sector is showing growing interest in the Chinese market," he said.
Statistics show that trade between the two countries exceeded $20 billion in 2006, making China the biggest Asian trade partner of Spain.
However, though on the upswing, bilateral trade is still not proportionate to the economic status of the two nations - with China the world's fourth largest economy and Spain the eighth. This indicates the existence of a huge potential waiting to be tapped, said Villa.
Especially in view of Spain's increasing trade deficit, governments of both nations are pursuing a more balanced trade growth that is harmonious and sustainable and will thus lead to mutual benefit, he noted.
While encountering competition from Asian countries in sectors like textiles and shoes, Spain has gained an edge in other industries like food, fashion, hi-tech products, and clean energy.
"We have developed a comparative advantage in these fields, which facilitates Spanish business expansion in overseas markets," said Villa.
So far, around 450 Spanish investors have established operations in China.
(China Daily 06/27/2007 page25)
