UPDATE - China’s Xi seeks to strengthen ties with Spain

UPDATES WITH DETAILS FROM CHINESE PRESIDENT'S MEETING WITH SPANISH PREMIER; CHANGES HEADER, DECK, LEDE; EDITS THROUGH

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - Chinese President Xi Jinping Monday called for strengthening “win-win cooperation” with Spain.

Xi’s comments came during a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, said Hua Chunying, the spokeswoman of China’s Foreign Ministry.

China and Spain “with a sense of responsibility and mission, call for mutual respect and win-win cooperation between countries and uphold multilateralism and free trade,” Xi told Sanchez.

The Chinese leader said the two nations will mark the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership next year.

Sanchez reached Beijing on Sunday for a four-day official trip.

“The two sides need to strengthen bilateral cooperation, expand multilateral collaboration, and further enrich this comprehensive strategic partnership,” said Xi.

Earlier Monday, Sanchez met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing to discuss a range of issues, with a focus on “fair-trade order.”

“In a world of great opportunities and challenges, Spain wishes to continue strengthening its relations with China in order to give full substance to our comprehensive strategic partnership,” Sanchez said after meeting Li.

"We want to build bridges to defend together a fair-trade order, in the most scrupulous respect of the multilateral framework and keeping our markets open, which allows our economies to grow and benefits our industries and citizens."

Trade volume between the two nations surged to $48.6 billion last year, as China became Spain’s largest trading partner outside the EU.

Earlier in the day, Sanchez addressed the Spain-China Business Advisory Council. “Our objective is clear: to foster a balanced relationship, based on respect and reciprocity that benefits both nations,” he said.

He also addressed the ninth Spain-China Forum, which he said brings “our societies closer together and fosters mutual understanding.”

“Spain and China have strong ties. Even on those issues where our positions do not fully coincide, we maintain a constructive willingness to engage in dialogue and cooperation. We are committed to developing a positive agenda and seeking consensual solutions that benefit all parties,” he said.

The two sides last year celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.