Liu said, the Chinese side appreciates Mr. Zapatero's efforts, during the tenure as General Secretary of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) and Spanish Prime Minister, to promote exchanges between Chinese and Spanish political parties and the development of state relations. We congratulate PSOE General Secretary and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on his recent re-election. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Spain. Leaders of both sides have maintained close exchanges and meetings to chart the course for the development of bilateral relations. The CPC maintains friendly exchanges with the PSOE and is willing to play its role as the ruling party to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, enhance strategic mutual trust and practical cooperation, and promote greater development of the China-Spain comprehensive strategic partnership.

China-European Union (EU) cooperation outweighs differences and the two sides are partners instead of rivals. The two sides can fully appreciate and learn from each other. The Chinese side has always supported the EU in gaining greater unity, strength and strategic independence. It is hoped that both sides will jointly safeguard multilateralism and the process of globalization, safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, and maintain the stable and smooth operation of global industrial and supply chains. It is hoped that Spain will play its important role as the rotating EU presidency and promote the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations.

Zapatero said, Spain and China are comprehensive strategic partners and the two countries have profound friendship. He thanked the Chinese side for providing Spain with support during the European debt crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. Spain has always attached great importance to the development of Spain-China and EU-China relations, and the PSOE attaches great importance to the development of friendly relations with the CPC. The current world is full of uncertainties, with political polarization and rising populism in some countries. Only through cooperation can various challenges be dealt with more effectively. Zapatero said that he was honored to be invited to China last month to participate in the Thematic Forum on People-to-People Connectivity of the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. He expressed his willingness to contribute to promoting cooperation between Spain and China in various fields. It is hoped that the Chinese side will play a greater role in regional and global hotspot issues and make greater contributions to world peace and development. Spain is willing to play an active role in promoting Europe and China to strengthen dialogue and cooperation and advance the establishment of a fair and reasonable international order. Spain has profound historical ties with Latin American countries and hopes to promote the development of Latin American-China relations.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common interest.

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