Conservation and protection of endangered birds bearing fruit.

Minister hails partnership with Spain as an example

China and the European Union (EU), as comprehensive strategic partners, should work together to maintain the political foundation for bilateral cooperation and achieve greater progress in their relations in the post-pandemic era, Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

In a phone conversation with Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Arancha Gonzalez Laya, Wang noted that Spain is a major European country and an important cooperative partner of China in Europe.

Last year, the two countries carried out effective anti-pandemic cooperation, and economic and trade exchanges managed to grow amid broad downward pressures, Wang said.

China is willing to enhance coordination with Spain, focus on the post-pandemic era, deepen cooperation in fields such as economy, trade, and energy, strengthen tourism and people-to-people exchanges, and push for further development of China-Spain relations, he said.

Expressing his hope that Spain will provide a level playing field and an open business environment for Chinese companies, Wang called on the two sides to oppose unilateralism and protectionism, strengthen coordination and cooperation within the frameworks of the United Nations, the Group of 20 and the World Health Organisation, enhance communication and coordination on issues such as climate change and sustainable development, and jointly advance the reform of the World Trade Organisation, so as to make positive contribution to improving global governance.

Wang stressed that China and Europe are partners, not rivals, and China’s development is an opportunity, not a threat, to Europe.